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

The Chicago Cubs entered Sunday in a peculiar position. Despite owning the best record in Major League Baseball, they also possessed the sport's slimmest division lead, sitting just a game ahead of the surging Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central.