MLB Network's Jon Morosi Names Three Starting Pitchers on Cubs' Radar

MLB Network's Jon Morosi Names Three Starting Pitchers on Cubs' Radar originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Chicago Cubs and starting pitching will be a hot topic over the next 10 days as we approach the 2025 MLB trade deadline. The Cubs will be one of the most competitive teams in the starter market, trying to find the right guy to help them make a World Series run.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi joined MLB Central on Monday morning to give three starting pitchers he believes are on the Cubs' radar to trade for at the deadline.

"A number of pitchers, I believe, are on the Cubs' radar to potentially upgrade their rotation. Now we know that their top two starting pitchers this year, both lefties in Boyd and Imanaga. So I would expect more of a focus on a potential right handed addition - Mitch Keller in the division, I love that possibility," Morosi said. "Edward Cabrera, now he has a bit of an elbow issue. He's going to come back and pitch tomorrow, so I think it'll be a very heavily scouted start. And then Seth Lugo of the Royals, who are at Wrigley this week."

What do the next two weeks look like for the Cubs?@jonmorosi mentions Edward Cabrera, Mitch Keller and Seth Lugo as potential trade candidates for the club to pursue. pic.twitter.com/T53VPP0aBs

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 21, 2025

Keller has been the topic of nearly every starting pitching trade conversation, and is one of the top options available. The Pittsburgh Pirates starter is under team control through 2028, but will be an expensive add.

Cabrera is also under team control due to arbitration through 2028, and would likely be a less expensive option. The Miami Marlins starter was having a great year before his injury, pitching to a 3.61 ERA through 16 starts, and he's just 27 years old. Cabrera's performance on Tuesday will tell a lot about how teams will feel about him at the deadline.

Lastly, Morosi mentioned Royals' starter Lugo. Some other insiders have said they don't believe Lugo will be moved at the deadline, but if the Royals make him available, he'll be highly sought after. With the Royals playing at Wrigley Field this week, Morosi joked that it would be fun to have a live trade as MLB Network broadcasts the game.

"So Lauren, you know how I love to try to make connections happen," Morosi said. "We'll see if we can organize a live trade on our showcase game tonight. It's not Lugo starting. Wouldn't that be a great way to celebrate the showcase game tonight, if we had a Royals and Cubs trade?"

While Morosi wasn't serious about getting a trade to go down Monday night, the Cubs' interest in Lugo if he becomes available is very serious.

When it comes to what the Cubs would give up for a starting pitcher at the deadline, Morosi named Chicago's top outfield prospect.

"The name that I'll mention, Lauren, that I think is on a lot of the minds of a lot of different scouts around the game, Owen Caissie. The Cubs have arguably the most productive outfield anywhere in baseball," Morosi said. "Owen Caissie, the pride of Burlington, Ontario, who is still at triple A, so he is potentially the man they may be able to move on if the right pitcher comes along. So Owen Caissie, futures game alum, remember that name."

Especially with Caissie's recent performance at the Triple-A level, many insiders believe the Cubs would have to find their perfect deadline target or get multiple guys in return for their top prospect.

However, the Cubs' outfield is stacked right now, and Chicago has built a lethal lineup. It feels like all that's missing for a World Series run is a pitcher or two to solidify this Cubs team.

"Quality at bats from beginning to end for this Cubs lineup this year, and now that the lineup is so well situated, they can focus on the pitching conversation. That's where things I believe, will get really interesting," Morosi said. "The Cubs did an excellent job winning that series against the Boston Red Sox, and really showing how complete of a team they have. They run the bases exceptionally well."

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.