Cubs trade targets Pirates' star pitcher; Chicago willing to give up star prospect

It can be hard to make trades within a division between a buyer and a seller before the MLB trade deadline.

If one team gives up a star prospect, that player could come back to haunt them for years to come.

But it sounds like the Chicago Cubs are willing to do that in pursuit of more pitching.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports the the Cubs want Pirates' righty Mitch Keller, and that top prospect Owen Caissie isn't off the table.

"The Cubs desperately want another starter at the deadline, targeting Mitch Keller of the Pirates, and would include outfield prospect Owen Caissie to make it work," Nightengale wrote on Sunday.

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Keller has previously been an All Star, and he would be a boost near the front of the Cubs' rotation.

The Pirates seem stuck in a never-ending rebuild, but adding Caissie would at least be a strong attempt to have a brighter future.

If Keller got the Cubs to the promised land this season, they'd mind a lot less if Caissie eventually put together some imposing at bats at Wrigley Field as a visitor.

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