Kansas City Royals Extend Seth Lugo, Cubs Pivot to Mitch Keller

The Chicago Cubs had shown considerable interest in acquiring Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo before the MLB trade deadline, attracted by his strong 2.95 ERA and consistent performance. However, Lugo signed a multi-year contract extension with the Royals, removing him from the trade market and forcing the Cubs to explore other options. One potential alternative is Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller, who, despite not being an ace, offers durability, reliability, and three more years under contract at team-friendly terms. Keller has consistently made a high number of starts over recent seasons and ranks among the top pitchers in innings pitched since 2022, making him an intriguing target for the Cubs. With limited depth beyond their current rotation, the Cubs are also considering other pitchers such as Washington's MacKenzie Gore. Lugo's extension and continued strong performances, including shutting down the Cubs in a recent game, underscore the challenge the Cubs face in bolstering their starting pitching.