Cubs Reinforce Bullpen By Trade With Angels

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Cubs Reinforce Bullpen By Trade With Angels

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nicholas Covone | Last updated Aug 3, 2026 4:39 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are the next team to take advantage of the Los Angeles Angels Trade Deadline fire sale.

The Cubs were clearly looking to sure up their pitching staff this deadline, both their starting rotation and bullpen.

They were able to reinforce that rotation by trading with the Blue Jays for Kevin Gausman and the Marlins for Braxton Garrett.

The Cubs have the 13th best bullpen in the league by ERA at 3.86, and they just got a solid reliever to add to the back end.

The Cubs have acquired right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn in a trade with the Angels two hours before the deadline.

The Chicago Cubs are acquiring right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 3, 2026

The 28-year-old has been great for the Angels out of the bullpen.

The right-hander is posting a 3.66 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 32 walks in 51 2/3 innings.

He has electric swing-and-miss stuff. He relies on his nasty sweeper that he pairs with a 97.5 mph four-seam fastball. He mixes in a sinker, slider and curveball as well.

Zeferjahn is a controllable arm, he is not set to become a free agent until 2031.

The Halos received left-handed-hitting catcher Moises Ballesteros and right-handed pitcher (and son of Mark McGwire) Mason McGwire in exchange for Zeferjahn.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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