Cubs Blockbuster? Merrill Kelly Rumors Heating Up As Deadline Nears
The Chicago Cubs need to add a starting pitcher to their roster before Thursday's trade deadline. Justin Steele is out for the season with an elbow injury, and Jameson Taillon has battled injuries, too.
Chicago has been connected to a lot of different starting pitchers, but it's only landed Michael Soroka so far. Soroka isn't going to be enough for the Cubs to feel secure pushing for a World Series. They need to add more.
ESPN's David Schoenfield recently suggested the Cubs could be a potential landing spot in a deal for Arizona Diamondbacks star pitcher Merrill Kelly.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 13: Merrill Kelly #29 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers to the plate during the first inning against the against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 13,...
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 13: Merrill Kelly #29 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers to the plate during the first inning against the against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 13, 2025 in Anaheim, California. More
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
"Kelly might be viewed as more of a grind-it-out innings eater, but that feels like a bit of a disservice to his ability, especially since he's pitching well with a 2.56 ERA over his past 10 starts, lowering his season ERA to 3.22," Schoenfield wrote. "After getting knocked out early in his second start of the season, he has gone at least five innings in every start since then, usually going six or seven. His superlative work in the 2023 postseason (2.25 ERA across four starts) is another reason he's a fit with any contender."
Kelly is the perfect combination of talent and affordability on the trade market that a deal could be realistic. While a trade for Sandy Alcántara or MacKenzie Gore would be fun, they'd be very expensive.
Kelly has consistently been one of the more competitive pitchers in baseball each time out. He would provide the Cubs with a stabilizing option in the middle of their rotation for the rest of the season without breaking the farm system down. The deal makes perfect sense.
More MLB: Yankees Trade Brewing? Twins Pitcher Linked To New York In Deadline Deal
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
Mariano Rivera tears Achilles in Yankees Old-Timers' Day game and needs surgery
NEW YORK — Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera tore an Achilles tendon while going after a flyball at the New York Yankees' Old-Timers' Day game on Saturday and needs surgery. Agent Fern Cuza said the 55-year-old closer, baseball's career leader in saves, will have the operation within a week. In his lone at-bat, Rivera singled off former teammate Andy Pettitte and easily ran to first base. During an at-bat by Willie Randolph, Rivera took a step and fell to the ground in shallow center field behind second base. The Yankees restored the Old-Timers' Day game for the first time since 2019. 'It was a fun day until we heard about Mariano. Mariano hurt his Achilles,' seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens told WFAN broadcaster Suzyn Waldman. 'I don't know what was going on. We all thought it was a hamstring, but I think it's a little worse than that. I think he's at the hospital now. Unbelievable.' Rivera was the second player to get hurt in the event since 2017. Eight years ago, former outfielder and current YES Network analyst Paul O'Neill strained a calf running to first base. Rivera tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in May 2012 while shagging fly balls in batting practice in Kansas City. He returned for his final season in 2013 and finished as baseball's career saves leader with 652 and posted 42 postseason saves. In 2019, the 13-time All-Star became the first player unanimously inducted into the Hall of Fame by getting all 425 votes in balloting conducted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He helped the Yankees win five World Series titles and seven American League pennants. Rivera took part in the Old-Timers' Game, played before the Yankees beat the Houston Astros 5-4, for the second time. He hit an inside-the-park homer in 2019. The event commemorated the 25th anniversary of the 2000 championship team, the last team to win three straight World Series titles. Clemens was a first-time attendee at the event, which had captain Derek Jeter give a short video message when he was introduced following Rivera. Before the event, Rivera said he intended to speak with struggling reliever Devin Williams, who allowed three runs in the 10th inning Friday. He has allowed nine runs in his last five appearances and 28 earned runs this year, two more than 2022-24 combined. 'Can't do nothing about it,' Rivera said Saturday morning. 'Once it's done, it's done. Just learn from it, move on and be confident. You have to be confident in yourself. If you're not confident in yourself, you're playing the wrong sport.'
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
How many years does LSU football coach Brian Kelly have left on his contract?
LSU football coach Brian Kelly is gearing up for year four at the helm of LSU's program. That means it's time for an annual check-in on Kelly's contract with LSU. LSU hired Kelly in late 2021 after the veteran coach had a lengthy tenure at Notre Dame. LSU had to pay up and offered Kelly a 10-year deal worth $95 million. With three years in the books, Kelly is under contract for seven more years at LSU. Kelly, 63, would be 70 when the deal expires. According to the USA TODAY Sports coach salary database, Kelly was the No. 8 highest-paid coach in the sport last year. Kelly's total pay was $9,975,000 in 2024. As of Dec. 1, 2024, Kelly's buyout was $61,738,333. LSU would have owed Kelly 90% of his total remaining salary. We don't know the exact details for the 2025 buyout yet, but it's likely a similar structure. LSU doesn't expect to be considering that buyout this year, though. Given the talent on this LSU roster, the Tigers are expected to compete for the SEC title and a College Football Playoff appearance.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
See where ESPN ranked LSU football in latest SEC power rankings
LSU landed in the top five for ESPN's preseason SEC power rankings ahead of the 2025 college football season. The Tigers checked in at No. 4 on the list. Texas, Georgia, and Alabama take up the top three spots, respectively, while Texas A&M rounds out the top five. "The Tigers are probably going to score a lot of points, and if Brian Kelly can figure out how to turn around his defense, they might be a legitimate SEC title and CFP contender. LSU has dropped five straight season openers, three under Kelly, and it plays at Clemson on Aug. 30." Behind second-year starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, LSU's offense looks primed for another high-octane year under head coach Brian Kelly. His staff brought in multiple receivers with SEC experience as part of the nation's top transfer portal class in 2025. Following a second full offseason with defensive coordinator Blake Baker, the defense filled critical needs in the secondary and at edge rusher to put together a unit with loads of potential. The question will be whether it can contain some of the nation's most potent offenses. The Tigers will be tested immediately in a week one contest at Clemson. They'll need to contain professional-level talent at wide receiver as well as quarterback Cade Klubnik.
