Craig Counsell before a game against the Dodgers.
The Chicago Cubs have been one of the best stories in Major League Baseball this season. After having a great offseason by acquiring Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong has also come into his own as a star player. Crow-Armstrong already has 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, and it isn’t even July yet.
Chicago has also been able not just to stay afloat, but thrive after being hit with a couple of devastating injuries to the rotation. Justin Steele is lost for the season, and Shota Imanaga hasn’t pitched since May 4. Despite this, the Cubs are 46-31 and sit atop the National League Central.
However, if they want to complete their aspirations this season, which is likely to win the NL Pennant, they may have to make a couple of additions at the trade deadline. The deadline is just a month away, and per usual, almost all contending teams are in the market for starting pitching.
What Does Chicago Need?
In a recent article by BR writer Tim Kelly, MLB’s top teams are paired with their biggest need heading into the hot stove season. The Chicago Cubs’ biggest need was named starting pitching, and Kelly linked Arizona Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly as a potential fit:
“The Cubs could go one of two ways at the deadline. Either president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer could take a big swing on someone like Alcántara or Gallen, hoping they catch fire and can carry them in the postseason. Alternatively, he 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 Diamondbacks. A rotation of Imanaga, Eflin and Kelly might not have an obvious ace, but it would give you three pretty good options. In any event, starting pitching is the biggest hole for the Cubbies.”
Although Kelly makes it out like Kelly would be their last option, that sentiment can be argued. The Diamondbacks’ ace this season has been Kelly, who has really solid numbers. He’s started 16 games to a 3.39 ERA over 93 innings. He also has 93 strikeouts, and he can provide the exact type of consistency the Cubs need. Merrill is even a right-hander, which Chicago could also use in its rotation.
Kelly Being Moved Likely Depends on Diamondbacks’ Record
While Zac Gallen has usually been thought of as the Arizona Diamondbacks’ ace, not this season. He has the highest ERA out of any qualified MLB starter at 5.60. The likelihood of the Diamondbacks shipping any of their players depends on where they sit in the standings come July. They have played much better lately, are above .500 now, and may want to continue to compete for an NL Wild Card spot.
