This Pirates-Cubs trade package for Mitch Keller would be suitable for all parties

As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare their fire sale with pitcher Mitch Keller as. the likely headliner, they can look to a familiar face as one of their first potential customers. Over on the North side of Chicago, the Cubs have put together a juggernaut of an offense, but injuries have taken their toll on their starting rotation.

With Justin Steele lost for the year and Shota Imanaga having just returned from the injured list after a lengthy stint, the Cubs' rotation has been anything but reliable outside of Imanaga and the oft-injured Matthew Boyd. Chicago starters rank 23rd in the majors with a 4.30 ERA through July 1.

Most importantly, the Cubs need an upgrade over Ben Brown (6.62 ERA) and Colin Rea (5.05) if they hope to make a deep October run. As they look down in the standings, the Pirates stand out as a club that can help them get exactly what the doctor ordered.

A starter like Keller (3.90 ERA) would do wonders for stabilizing the Cubs' rotation, combining with Imanaga, Boyd, and former Pirate Jameson Taillon to form a four-man group capable of staring down the league's best lineups in the playoffs. Keller has a laundry list of suitors, and therefore won't come cheap, but the Cubs' farm system is deep and stocked with treasures the Bucs would love to plunder.

This trade package between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs would give both sides exactly what they crave

The Cubs possess a number of prospects who are knocking on the door of the big league roster, despite not having many openings. The Pirates, meanwhile, are desperate to find near-major-league-ready talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, to jumpstart their seemingly never-ending rebuilding efforts.

Keller gives Chicago a solid No. 3 starter with the upside to provide more, who is under contract through 2028 at a reasonable number, given the exploding salaries we've seen starting pitchers get on the free-agent market.

Pittsburgh can then charge a high price for Keller's services. A package of prospects with players ready or nearly ready to make an impact on the Pirates' big league roster would get the job done. Pittsburgh can ask for the moon here, and the Cubs would be wise to deliver.

A package of Cubs' No. 4 prospect, outfielder Kevin Alcantara and No. 16 prospect, infielder Pedro Ramirez, should get the job done. Both are positions of surplus for the Cubbies, and both are direct needs for the Pirates, who need more offense all over their organization.

Alcantara made his MLB debut last year and should be ready for regular big league action very soon. He has a .267 average and .803 OPS in Triple-A this year. Though he struggles with strikeouts, he makes up for it by walking a lot, and could immediately slot into the Pirates' left field role relatively soon. Tommy Pham and Alexander Canario are not answers for the Bucs right now.

As for Ramirez, he's having a nice campaign at Double-A and has split time between second and third base. If Pittsburgh is going to move Ke'Bryan Hayes at the deadline, they could have Ramirez as a future solution at the hot corner. The 21-year-old won't be ready this year, but he's had a linear progression, so perhaps late 2026 could be an optimistic timeline. If not, he can be stashed as a potential worthwhile utility player should the Pirates look to upgrade more meaningfully.

After all, this deal would require the Cubs to absorb the remaining money on Keller's contract, which would give the Pirates more flexibility. And if they can walk away with two prospects who could eventually solve roster problems within the next year and a half, that's a big win.