CHICAGO -- The Cubs’ bullpen has experienced a high rate of turnover, especially in the late-inning roles, as injuries have steadily impacted the group all season long. Adding a legit arm to the mix at the Trade Deadline was one of the top priorities for Chicago’s front office.
Prior to Monday’s Deadline, the Cubs traded with the Angels to reel in hard-throwing righty Ryan Zeferjahn. Chicago is sending catcher Moisés Ballesteros and righty Mason McGwire (No. 18 on Pipeline’s Top 30 list for the Cubs) to the Angels.
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TRADE DETAILS
Cubs receive: RHP Ryan Zeferjahn
Angels receive: C Moisés Ballesteros, RHP Mason McGwire (No. 18 Cubs prospect)
Cubs manager Craig Counsell recently noted that help on the right-handed front would benefit Chicago’s relief corps, and Zeferjahn certainly brings an upgrade in that department. This season with Los Angeles, he has amassed 75 strikeouts against 32 walks in 51 2/3 innings, with a 3.66 ERA across 45 games.
Zeferjahn has a five-pitch mix, but leads with a sweeper and four-seamer that each top 40% in whiff rate, per Statcast. His fastball clocks in at 97.4 mph on average, bringing some velocity to a Cubs bullpen that could benefit from more swing and miss. Zeferjahn has a 33.6% strikeout rate, which is well north of Chicago’s team rate (21.3%) out of the ‘pen.
Zeferjahn is 28, but does not reach his arbitration years until 2028 and is under club control through 2030.
The Cubs have already set a single-season club record with 15 players notching at least one save -- evidence of the way Counsell has been forced to mix and match. Righty Daniel Palencia began the year as the closer, but has spent the bulk of this season on the injured list, along with a long list of other relievers.
Ballesteros was Pipeline’s No. 1 Cubs prospect before this season and made the Opening Day roster as Chicago’s primary designated hitter. Struggles through May and June led to a trip back to Triple-A Iowa, where he has had mixed results. McGwire (son of Mark McGwire) has had a breakout year between Single-A and High-A and made the All-Star Futures Game.