According to a report from Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are talking to the Orioles about sending a prospect to Baltimore for RHP Tommy Hunter. And the Cubs are one of the teams discussing RHP Carlos Carrasco with the Indians.
The Cubs would like to add at least one starting pitcher and a late-inning reliever to the roster before the deadline.
Buster Olney confirmed the Cubs interest in Tommy Hunter while reporting the Cubs are not really in the mix for RHP Craig Kimbrel.
RHP Tommy Hunter is a free agent at the end of the season and is having a good year for the Orioles. Hunter is 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 3.32 FIP. In 44 2/3 innings, Hunter has allowed 19 runs, 18 earned, on 41 hits with 11 walks and 32 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings.
RHP Carlos Carrasco is 11-8 in 21 starts for the Indians this season. The 28-year old right hander has allowed 57 runs on 119 hits with 27 walks and 140 strikeouts in 127 1/3 innings (4.03 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 2.83 FIP).
Carrasco is under a very team friendly contract through the 2018 season that includes club options for 2019 and 2020. Carrasco’s contract calls for a $4.5 million salary in 2016, $6.5 million in 2017 and $8 million in 2018. There are $662,500 buyouts on a $9 million club option for 2019 and $9.5 million club option for 2020.
Ken Rosenthal did not say which players the Cubs would send to Baltimore for Tommy Hunter or to Cleveland for Carlos Carrasco.
• Tommy Hunter’s Page on Baseball-Reference
• Carlos Carrasco’s Page on Baseball-Reference