Cubs Should Try to Trade for Two Diamondbacks Starters Amid Reported Interest

"Teams that have been heavily scouting the Diamondbacks view Merrill Kelly as their best available pitcher ahead of Zac Gallen," Nightengale wrote. "Kelly, 36, has a career 2.25 ERA in four postseason starts. Each are free agents after the season, with the Cubs expressing interest as they scour the market for a starter."

Though Kelly is seen as ahead of Gallen, both are rentals and both have some serious playoff experience from Arizona's run to the World Series two years ago.

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Kelly had a 2.25 ERA in four starts during the run while Gallen had a 4.54 ERA in six starts including a mark of 3.18 in two World Series starts.

The elder Kelly has also been much more effective this season, as the 36-year-old has a 3.22 ERA, 1.057 WHIP, 9-6 record and one of the best strikeout rates of his career.

Gallen meanwhile his struggled en route to a 5.58 ERA and 1.372 WHIP with the most home runs allowed in the National League.

Though the former All-Star may have higher upside at just 29 years old and less than a year removed from being seen as one of the best pitchers in the game, this is not a long-term move betting on Gallen eventually turning it around.

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Both right-handers are free agents after this season, and this is solely a move to put the Cubs in the best possible position to win a championship this season.

Either Gallen or Kelly would provide a boost to this pitching staff and landing one of them would be much better than neither. Perhaps Chicago could even try to swing a deal for both if the price is right.

Given that Arizona is in clear selling mode and has no reason to hold onto either of them, being able to unload both in one trade may be in their best interest.

Whether this is complicated by the presence of Eugenio Suarez as well is worth asking, but there's no reason the Cubs should discount the possibility of both pitchers.

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It may take more prospect capital than Chicago would like to part with if they were to land both pitchers, however a deal like that has the potential to take a weakness and make it into a strength before the stretch run.

Regardless of whether something comes together or not, Nightengale makes it very clear that the interest is there and being shown by the Cubs.

Time will tell if it results in a trade between the two sides.

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