Cubs 'Have Talked' With Division Rival About Trade for $77 Million Starter: Report
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Chicago Cubs are enjoying a narrow lead in the National League Central division and they're looking for upgrades to the roster with just a few weeks until the trade deadline.
The Cubs might have signaled their willingness to buy at midseason months ago when they agreed to send some controllable talent to the Houston Astros for Kyle Tucker, a star outfielder in his last year of arbitration eligibility. After that move, the Cubs have little choice but to add even more win-now talent before it's too late.
"The Cubs didn't trade third baseman Isaac Paredes and prized young outfielder Cam Smith for one guaranteed year of All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to sit back at the deadline now," as Bob Nightengale wrote for USA Today. "Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, whose contract expires after the season, knows what's at stake."
The Cubs seem relatively set at several positions, but could certainly use another pitcher who can handle a high-stakes playoff start after losing ace Justin Steele for the season due to injury. And it appears they have interest in a division rival's veteran.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 21: President Jed Hoyer of the Chicago Cubs speaks to the media during the introductory press conference for Dansby Swanson at Wrigley Field on December 21, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo...
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 21: President Jed Hoyer of the Chicago Cubs speaks to the media during the introductory press conference for Dansby Swanson at Wrigley Field on December 21, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by) More
Reaves/Getty
"Confirming Pirates and Cubs have talked about Mitch Keller," 670 The Score's Bruce Levine reported.
Keller, who is in the second year of a five-year, $77 million deal with the Pirates, would seem to fit the Cubs as a mid-rotation boost who might not command too much of a return. He has a 4.02 ERA across 16 starts this season and logged 210 total strikeouts in an All-Star season two years ago.
Once Shota Imanaga returns, Keller could be a third or fourth option for the Cubs. But even a middle rotation arm could be hard to acquire in the upcoming deadline market.
"Getting a deal done is challenging because of (a) sellers market," Levine added. "One GM said to me (that) 25 teams still feel they have a Wild Card chance."
As virtually every contender explores their options for acquisitions like Keller, the Cubs might have to overpay a bit to get him.
More MLB: Red Sox Announce Unfortunate Alex Bregman Injury Update
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
42 minutes ago
- New York Post
John Wall joins Prime Video's NBA coverage after retirement news breaks
John Wall's career in the NBA may be over, but he isn't walking away from the game he loves just yet. Wall, who officially retired on Tuesday, is joining the Prime Video studio crew as the streaming service enters its first season carrying NBA broadcasts as part of an 11-year rights deal. The former Wizards star will join Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki, who previously had been announced as the primary analysts, as well as Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash, and Candace Parker, who will be splitting time between calling games and working in the studio. Advertisement Wizards guard John Wall, who has retired from the NBA, drives to the basket during a past game against the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Wall, 34, is hoping that he can connect with fans and share his deep knowledge of the game with them through broadcasting, he told the Washington Post. 'If you never really had the opportunity to sit down and talk to me, you won't really understand how much I love basketball, where my basketball mind is at, where my IQ is,' Wall said. 'I can basically tell you the best player in the country — from girls to boys, high school, to the players that's in college, to the people that's at the NBA and WNBA.' Advertisement Wall has limited broadcast experience, having worked a pair of G League Winter Showcase games on ESPN and NBA TV last winter. Following the experience, he told the Associated Press that it was an outlet for him to talk about basketball, something 'I love to do' and that it was what he did 'when I'm home, watching with my friends and kids.' He joked that they all would eventually end up telling him to ''shut up and let us watch.'' John Wall at the Power TV series premiere. WireImage Advertisement Wall retired after 11 seasons in the NBA and finished with five All-Star nods and averaging 18.7 points per game and 8.9 assists per game during his career. He played nine seasons with the Wizards before spending a season with the Rockets and Clippers.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
John Kruk's galaxy brain clock take will have fans in tears
The post John Kruk's galaxy brain clock take will have fans in tears appeared first on ClutchPoints. It was a largely inconsequential game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners. To which, former Phillies player turned analyst John Kruk, known for his hot takes, did himself one better. In the bottom of the 4th inning with the Phillies leading 6-0, Kruk provided some in-depth analysis of all things the invention of the clock, per Jomboy Media. 'How did that person know what time it was? Kruck asked. For the sake of reference, the clock was not invented by a singular individual. It was more of a development process dating back to Ancient Egypt and Babylon. However, Christiaan Huygens invented the pendulum clock in 1656. In the 1750s, African American inventor Benjamin Banneker invented the first functioning clock. Kruk played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1989 to 1994. In 1993, he helped lead them to the World Series, where they would lose to the Toronto Blue Jays in six games—a series in which Joe Carter hit a walk-off home run in the decisive sixth game. Along the way, Kruk became a three-time All-Star (1991, 1992, 1993). In the 1993 All-Star game, Kruk's at-bat against Randy Johnson lives on, as he avoided a wild pitch but ended up striking out to protect himself. Altogether, Kruk batted .309, with 62 home runs, 145 doubles, and 390 RBIs in 744 games with the Phillies. At the same time, he became a fan favorite for his self-deprecation and outgoing personality. The broadcasting style of John Kruk Since retirement, Kruk has successfully transitioned into becoming a Phillies analyst for NBC Sports Philadelphia. Before that, he was a color commentator for ESPN. Along the way, Kruk has lent his personality to the booth and provided some interesting takes. Recently, Kruk called Phillies pitcher Jose Alvarado 'selfish' after being suspended for 80 games for violating MLB's drug policy. Nevertheless, the fans still love his takes and his continued support of the organization. In that instance, never a broken clock. Related: Phillies' Trea Turner reaches career milestone with emphatic HR Related: Phillies' Zack Wheeler gets positive surgery update following blood clot
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. injures hamstring vs. Pirates
Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tweaked his hamstring while making a stellar defensive play during a loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Guerrero was hurt in the third inning of the 5-2 setback Monday in Pittsburgh. He left the game in the fifth inning because of what the team called "left hamstring tightness." "He's doing all right," manager John Schneider told reporters. "It was after that stretch, obviously. At this time of year, everyone is kind of grinding a little bit, and I think that just irritated his hammy. It's just tightness." Schneider said Guerrero would have an MRI on Monday night and be evaluated Tuesday. "He wanted to test it out a little bit and wanted to be sure that he wasn't going to really aggravate it," Schneider said. "I trust him, and he knows himself really well. "We can't afford to lose him for an extended period of time, so it was partially precautionary, too. Hopefully, he's good to go in the next day or two. He's obviously really important to our lineup." Center fielder Alexander Canario gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the second inning. Guerrero plated the Blue Jays' first run with an RBI ground out in the top of the third. Shortstop Bo Bichette brought in right fielder Addison Barger with an RBI single in the next at-bat. The Pirates tied the score on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the inning. Second baseman Nick Gonzales then grounded into a double play. Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman then walked designed hitter Andrew McCutchen, bringing Jared Triolo to the plate. The Pirates shortstop hit a ground ball to Bichette. The Blue Jays shortstop then tossed to first base. Guerrero kept his right foot on the base while doing a full split toward the throw. He gloved the catch to retire Triolo and end the inning. Guerrero, who jogged to the dugout, returned to the field in the bottom of the fourth, when he made two outs at first base. Pinch-hitter Ty France replaced Guerrero in the top of the fifth. France shifted to first base in the bottom of the inning. Guerrero went 0 for 2 with an RBI and a strikeout. France went 0 for 2 with a strikeout. No Blue Jays hitter recorded more multiple hits against the Pirates. Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz went 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Starting pitcher Paul Skenes allowed five hits and two runs over six innings, but was not on record for a decision. He also recorded eight strikeouts. Gausman allowed five hits and two runs over five innings. Guerrero hit .298 with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs over his first 124 games this season. The Blue Jays (73-53), who lost their last two games, still lead the American League East. The second-place New York Yankees (67-57) and Boston Red Sox (68-58) are five games behind the division leaders. The Pirates (53-73) will host the Blue Jays in the second game of the series at 6:40 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
