Cubs Could Target 3.32 ERA Starter at Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated Jul 21, 2025 6:30 PM ET

If the Chicago Cubs had their way, a third baseman, starting pitcher, and reliever would come their way at the trade deadline.

While the perfect storm is unlikely, the Cubs should take as aggressive an approach as possible. They are deadlocked with the surging Milwaukee Brewers atop the National League Central, and with Kyle Tucker and Jed Hoyer in contract years, there is no time to waste.

Jeff Passan of ESPN listed Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly as one of the top deadline candidates, and Chicago as a “best fit.”

Kelly, 36, is likely among the mass exodus of Diamondbacks at the end of the month. He is also on an expiring deal, and while that is not the most attractive option for a team that will be without Justin Steele for a chunk of 2026, he makes sense for right now.

Kelly has accumulated another solid campaign in Arizona, going 9-5 with a 3.32 ERA, a 3.48 FIP, and 118 strikeouts to 37 walks over 122 innings.

He has only pitched in one postseason, but was stellar during the Diamondbacks’ improbable run to the World Series in 2023, going 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA, a 4.09 FIP, and 28 strikeouts to 8 walks over 24 innings.

The lack of term will decrease Kelly’s value, but the scarcity of top-end starters will increase the bidding war. The Cubs could viably center a package around someone like Cade Horton, Ben Brown, or prospect RHP Brandon Birdsell ( No. 7).

Kelly alone will not get Chicago over the top, but a postseason staff of him, Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, and any of Colin Rea, Horton, or a healthy Jameson Taillon will make it a tough out.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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