It’s not very often you see major trades within the same division, but the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates have been discussing a possible deal for starting pitcher Mitch Keller.
The right-hander is one of the best starters available this month. Keller, despite his 4-10 record, is in the midst of a fine season. The 29-year-old has a 3.53 ERA through 21 starts and ranks sixth in the National League with 125 innings pitched.
Keller is in his seventh season with the Pirates and signed a five-year extension last year during spring training.
It would take a lot for the Pirates to trade Keller, especially to a division rival. If general manager Ben Cherington decided to pull the trigger on a deal, the focus in a return would be on improving the team’s abysmal offense.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Cubs would be willing to part with top prospect Owen Caissie, an outfielder who has spent the season with Triple-A Iowa.
Caissie, the No. 37 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, was drafted by the Cubs in the second round of the 2020 draft out of high school in Canada.
The 23-year-old is slashing .278/.377/.563 with 24 doubles, two triples, 20 home runs and 46 RBI in 81 games at Triple-A this season. In parts of five minor leagues seasons across five levels, Caissie carries a .278/.382/.487 batting line 116 doubles, nine triples, 79 home runs, 292 RBI and 33 stolen bases in 81 games.
Caissie’s best tools are his plus power and plus arm. Strikeouts are a concern (29.4% career strikeout rate) but he also has a healthy 13.6% walk rate. He’s considered an average runner and should be at least an average defender in one of the corner outfield spots.