The Chicago Cubs are looking for bullpen help.
Whether that's from their internal options or turning to some external ones ahead of the trade deadline, it's clear that this needs to be addressed if they are going to contend for a World Series.
Someone they thought could give them a boost was Genesis Cabrera.
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Signed to a Major League deal on May 29 of this year after he was designated for assignment by the New York Mets, the Cubs were hoping he'd be a left-handed weapon out of the bullpen.
Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way.
Cabrera made nine appearances with Chicago, and in those outings, he gave up a total of nine earned runs on 10 hits, striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings pitched.
On June 21, the Cubs decided to designate him for assignment. And after he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa, Cabrera decided to elect free agency instead.
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The 28-year-old will now be searching for his third team this season.
Originally signed by the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent in 2013, he was shipped to the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline in 2018.
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He made his Major League debut the following year and spent five seasons with the Cardinals before he began bouncing around to other teams.
Cabrera has a career ERA of 4.03 and an ERA+ of 102 across his seven years in the bigs, pitching in 287 games with two starts while striking out 283 batters in 292 2/3 innings pitched.
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Just about every contender besides the New York Yankees has picked up a reliever or two ahead of today's trade deadline, but that could soon change. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal has reported that the Yankees are currently discussing a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed closer David Bednar, and that an official from another club involved in the sweepstakes for the two-time All-Star believes New York is the favorite to land him. "The New York Yankees, facing the losses of top relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to free agency, are seeking a high-leverage arm who is under club control beyond this season," Rosenthal wrote. "Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar fits the description. "The Yankees and Pirates are discussing a trade involving Bednar, according to sources briefed on the discussions. An official from one team involved in the pursuit of Bednar believes the Yankees are the front-runner." USA Today's Bob Nightengale previously reported that the asking price for Bednar was inflating amidst mounting interest in him around the league. Furthermore, MLB insider Francys Romero stated that the Yankees and Pirates had discussions surrounding the 30-year-old over the weekend, though no deal came together at that time. Bednar was among the league's top relievers from 2021 to 2023, logging a 2.25 ERA and 61 saves in 179 2/3 innings over that stretch while making trips to the Midsummer Classic in 2022 and 2023. The 2024 campaign was a rough one for him, as he finished with a 5.77 ERA across 57 2/3 frames, but he's completely bounced back this year to the tune of a 2.37 ERA and 1.96 FIP with 17 saves in 38 innings for Pittsburgh. With most of the other premier bullpens arms now off the market, there's an argument to be made that Bednar's the best player available at the position. He'll cost a good amount considering he's under control next season as well, but the Yankees look poised to make a move. Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more! Tigers Land Yankees Trade Target Yankees' Luis Gil Starting vs. Marlins Yankees Linked to Blockbuster Trade with Marlins Yankees Lose Elite Closer to Padres Yankees Could Make Big Move with Rookie Pitcher
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers only officially joined the Pittsburgh Steelers shortly before their three-day mandatory minicamp in June and, thus, is still learning about his new teammates in the early days of training camp. Rodgers is also using summer practices as a way to introduce himself to members of the Steelers' defense. During a Wednesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," Steelers star pass-rusher T.J. Watt detailed what it's been like to go against a Rodgers-led offense on the practice field. "Frustrating, because he talks a lot of smack," Watt said about Rodgers, as shared by Eva Geitheim of Sports Illustrated. "He really does. A lot of the no-look passes are things that we're getting used to. I like to bat down a lot of passes at the line of scrimmage. He's able to manipulate the defense good, so that's been very frustrating. Hopefully, one day we get the better of him." Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently gushed over the arm talent Rodgers flashed during his first handful of training camp practices with the club. This past Tuesday, Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith mentioned that Rodgers' "release and how he generates power" is still "unbelievable" even though the future Hall of Famer will turn 42 years old this coming December. Multiple injury issues slowed Rodgers last fall when he was with the New York Jets. Current Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams was Rodgers' teammate last season and is convinced the veteran signal-caller can still be among the top half of the quarterbacks in the NFL if he's able to stay healthy through a grueling campaign. "His cadence is deadly," longtime Steelers defensive lineman and team captain Cameron Heyward added about Rodgers during the show segment. "The thing he does best is he knows how to abuse the play clock. It's ridiculous, but it's gonna make us better." It remains to be seen if Rodgers will take even a handful of snaps in Pittsburgh's preseason opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 9. History shows he could give Steelers fans a highlight-reel moment or two if he participates in that exhibition contest.
A day after lining up on a blockbuster trade of closer Jhoan Duran, the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins have done business again. The Twins agreed to send center fielder Harrison Bader to the Phillies for two prospects, according to multiple reports. ESPN's Jeff Passan had first word of the deal. Bader fills an immediate need for the Phillies, who were looking for an upgrade in center field over incumbent Johan Rojas. In Bader, they get just that: an improved hitter who also plays defense at a high level. He also has a mutual option for 2026 should both sides choose to exercise it. Bader's 12 home runs, 10 stolen bases and .778 OPS showcase a well-rounded skill set that features power and speed. That easily outpaces Rojas' .569 OPS in 152 at-bats this season and doesn't sacrifice much on the bases or in the field. The 31-year-old Bader is also an upgrade over new teammate Brandon Marsh, who has a .717 OPS on the season and is not quite the defender in center field that the former is. In return, the Minnesota Twins acquired Phillies 12th-ranked prospect in outfielder Hendry Mendez (currently in Double-A) and unranked right-hander Geremy Villoria (4.50 ERA in the Dominican Summer League). While not flashy, Bader checks a box for Philadelphia, though surely fans are disappointed that the Phillies didn't go all-in for a more impact bat, much as they did in the bullpen when they traded for Duran on Wednesday evening. But with a few hours to go until the 6 p.m. trade deadline, perhaps the Phillies still have another trick up their sleeve as they gear up for an intense NL East race with the New York Mets. As for Minnesota, a disappointing 2025 campaign has led to something of a sell-off, with more assets possibly in play to be dealt.
The Chicago Cubs made two moves already ahead of the MLB trade deadline to bolster their pitching staff, acquiring the versatile Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals. and veteran Andrew Kittredge from the Baltimore Orioles. They would love to add another starting pitcher to the mix, preferably a front line arm, or some more depth to the backend of their bullpen, but to acquire a player of that caliber, it will be pricy. To this point, the Cubs haven’t been willing to meet that price, as they are not willing to currently including one of their top prospects, catcher Moises Ballesteros, in any trade negotiations. As shared by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Chicago is attempting to make moves without including their No. 2 ranked prospect, who is No. 47 in the top 100 of the sport. That could certainly be why the Cubs haven’t made the kind of splash many people are expecting them to with just a few hours until the deadline comes. Chicago does have one of the most talented and deep farm systems in baseball, so they could look to build a deal around some of their other prospects, such as outfielders Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara or infielder Jefferson Rojas. Ballesteros made his MLB debut earlier this year on May 13 at only 21 years old. He was back in the minor leagues within the week, but made another Big League appearance on July 30, going 1-for-2 against the Milwaukee Brewers as the designated hitter, knocking in three runs. It is easy to see why the Cubs wouldn’t want to part with the talented slugger, as he looks ready for regular Big League action. His defense might need some work behind the plate, but the bat can certainly play. In 86 games with Triple-A Iowa in 2025, Ballesteros has a .332/.393/.496 slash line with nine home runs, 26 doubles and one triple to go along with 57 RBI in 379 plate appearances. He has mashed at every level of the minor leagues and despite his youth, and looks ready for a chance to prove himself at the Major League level. The Latest Chicago Cubs News Cubs Reveal Special Ryne Sandberg Tribute Jerseys To Be Worn Saturday Long-Rumored Cubs Bullpen Trade Target Gets Shipped To Tigers Cubs Among Teams Still Attempting To Acquire Nationals Pitcher Cubs Send Promising Prospect To Orioles In Andrew Kittredge Trade
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