Overview

• Both the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets have formally contacted the Pirates about acquiring right-hander Mitch Keller ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
• An anonymous source estimated Keller’s chances of being moved at around 70 percent as the deadline approaches.
• Keller has posted a 3.64 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 106 innings, and he became PNC Park’s all-time strikeout leader with 384 on July 2.
• The Mets have been hampered by injuries to Griffin Canning, Kodai Senga, Paul Blackburn and Sean Manaea, creating urgent rotation needs.
• Under a five-year, $77 million extension signed in February 2024, Keller remains under team control through 2028, making him both a frontline starter and a valuable trade chip.