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Cubs' $11.5M catcher might be traded amid creative deadline plan
Cubs' $11.5M catcher might be traded amid creative deadline plan originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The Chicago Cubs are approaching the 2026 MLB trade deadline as expected buyers, though their farm system isn't exactly in the best shape.
Adding talent to the big league roster might be tricky, especially in pursuit of some of the top options at the deadline, like Tarik Skubal. To land such top players, Jed Hoyer and company might have to get creative.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan , the Cubs might be creative at this year's deadline by trading away $11.5 million veteran catcher Carson Kelly, whom they've already had trade conversations about this summer.
Cubs might trade Carson Kelly amid creative deadline plan
"Chicago is going to be creative -- with Ayers on the cusp, the Cubs have talked about Carson Kelly with teams seeking a right-handed hitting catcher, for example..." Passan writes.
This is a very interesting situation for the Cubs, as they could wind up trading from their big league roster by parting with Kelly at the deadline.
Miguel Amaya is a decent option who has a .710 OPS for the Cubs this season, just a bit below Kelly's .723 OPS. Plus, Owen Ayers has impressed and could easily replace Kelyl on the Cubs' 26-man MLB roster.
Since the catching trade market is fairly barren, with Ryan Jeffers, Shea Langeliers, and Hunter Goodman not looking likely to be traded for various reasons, Kelly could fetch a decent return.
MORE : Yankees are ‘ leading candidate ’ to trade for Twins ’ Ryan Jeffers
Maybe the Cubs trade Kelly to the New York Yankees , Boston Red Sox , or Tampa Bay Rays in search of prospect capital to help acquire pitching help. Or, maybe they send Kelly for a pitcher straight-up from an interested club.
Kelly is 32 years old and has a 2027 mutual option that's almost guaranteed not to go through. He's a rental catcher, but a good one who has 1.3 bWAR across 250 at-bats in 80 games this season.
While the Cubs wouldn't land a haul for Kelly in a trade, he could be a creative trade chip to bolster the team's prospect capital or address their pitching needs this summer. They've already discussed Kelly in trades, so the odds of a deal are well above zero.
More MLB news:
Red Sox ‘ would love ’ to trade for Angels ’ Zach Neto or Astros ’ Jeremy Pena
Giants willing to trade Heliot Ramos in big news for many MLB clubs
Padres likely not to trade Mason Miller amid latest update
Tigers expected to trade Tarik Skubal but still try to contend without him
Mets ‘ desperate ’ to trade Luis Robert Jr. after trade failure
CubsThe Sporting NewsAdd The Sporting NewsPreferred SourceThe Chicago CubsMLBAddingTarik SkubalJed HoyerAccordingESPNJeff Passan
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