Cubs Trade Idea Lands Orioles' Zach Eflin and Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly

Cubs Trade Idea Lands Orioles’ Zach Eflin and Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Chicago Cubs are in the middle of a great 2025 season. Offensively and defensively, the team is humming. But the pitching has been suspect, especially in the starting rotation. Even with Shota Imanaga returning from injury, the Cubs should still look for more help in the rotation.

Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report suggested a unique trade idea that would have the Cubs adding multiple starting pitchers at the MLB trade deadline. The two pitchers he named were Baltimore Orioles’ Zach Eflin and Arizona Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly.

“Alternatively,” Kelly writes. “He (Jed Hoyer) could try to add a pair of starters that could take the ball in the playoffs, like Zach Eflin of the Baltimore Orioles and Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks. A rotation of Imanaga, Eflin, and Kelly might not have an obvious ace, but it would give you three pretty good options.”

The proposition of adding a starting pitcher at the trade deadline isn’t unique. But the idea of adding both Eflin and Kelly is a new twist on how the Cubs could manage the trade deadline.

With a great offense, elite defense, and a strong bullpen, the rotation is the only concern for the Cubs. By adding two starters, the rotation in Chicago would drastically improve.

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer talks to the media after introducing pitcher Shota Imanaga (not pictured) during a press conference at Loews Chicago Hotel.Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Eflin has a 6-4 record with a 5.45 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 11 games, while Kelly has a 7-3 record with a 3.39 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 16 starts. They’re both solid veterans with years of experience, including in the postseason and the World Series.

While adding both would likely cost a lot, it’d be a huge improvement on their starting rotation if the Cubs could add multiple starters. Justin Steele is out for the year, and Javier Assad isn’t a guarantee to make a difference in 2025.

Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Cade Horton, and Colin Rea have led the Cubs rotation in 2025. Boyd has been great, while the other three have been solid. But the Cubs need more high-end arms, and Kelly would be that addition.

Eflin, while he’s struggled in 2025, would be great depth, and even has experience moving to the bullpen come the postseason. He’d help round out the Cubs’ rotation and provide more depth at a position where the Cubs have suffered multiple injuries all season.

While adding multiple starters at the deadline is a unique move, it could be the right decision for the Cubs. Solidifying the rotation, while also accounting for injury, would be a great way for the Cubs to prepare for a deep postseason run to go for their second World Series in the past decade.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.

Cubs Trade Idea Lands Orioles’ Zach Eflin and Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly

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