In a move that has sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball, the Chicago Cubs have pulled off what may be the biggest in-season acquisition of the year. The Cubs have officially landed Arizona Diamondbacks ace and postseason hero Merrill Kelly in a blockbuster deal that immediately transforms their starting rotation into one of the most dangerous in the National League.
Few expected Kelly to be moved this early in the season—especially by a Diamondbacks team still hovering around Wild Card contention—but Chicago’s aggressive front office saw an opportunity and pounced. Sources confirm that the Cubs sent a package of top-tier prospects and young MLB-ready talent to Arizona, signaling their intent to win now and capitalize on a red-hot start to the 2025 campaign.
Kelly, who earned national acclaim during Arizona’s 2023 World Series run, brings a wealth of postseason experience, poise, and strike-throwing precision to a Cubs team that has lacked a true veteran anchor in the rotation. With a devastating changeup and the ability to eat innings while keeping hitters off balance, Kelly immediately slots in as a frontline starter. He is expected to make his Cubs debut this weekend in a marquee matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field, where ticket demand has already surged in anticipation.
The addition of Kelly sends a powerful message to the rest of the league: the Cubs are not content with merely leading the division—they’re gunning for the pennant. This is not a team trying to “see how far we can go.” This is a team ready to seize the moment, and the Merrill Kelly acquisition is proof of that ambition.
Behind the scenes, the move is already being hailed as a masterstroke by Cubs President Jed Hoyer, who has built a reputation for timing his moves with surgical precision. By acquiring Kelly early, rather than waiting until the traditional trade deadline, the Cubs maximize their investment and gain several more starts from their new ace. This could be the difference between locking up the division and fighting for a Wild Card spot.
Cubs fans are already buzzing with excitement, flooding social media with images of Kelly in a Cubs uniform and speculating about the team’s new playoff ceiling. There’s a growing belief that with a core of Bellinger, Suzuki, Hoerner, and now a rotation headlined by Merrill Kelly and Justin Steele, this team has the ingredients to make a deep and dangerous postseason run.
Perhaps most encouraging is the ripple effect this move will have on the rest of the roster. Younger pitchers like Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad will benefit from Kelly’s leadership and mentorship, while the bullpen will have less pressure thanks to deeper outings from the rotation. Every part of the pitching staff just got stronger.
It’s not often that a single midseason trade can change the narrative of a season, but this one has all the makings of a turning point. The Cubs were already rolling. Now, they’re roaring.
Forget about the rebuild. Forget about “next year.” In 2025, the Chicago Cubs are all-in—and the rest of Major League Baseball better be ready