Cubs Rumors: Roenis Elias could be a quality option at the trade deadline

Cubs Rumors: Balling on a budget

After signing Kimbrel to a $45 million deal last month, the Cubs will likely be shopping in the bargain bin come July 31st. While the excitement and allure of going out to land a big fish is always a fun thought, that reality does not exist, and that is entirely okay.

Elias is currently on a one-year/$910,000 contract with Seattle, however, is cost-controlled through 2021, which is excellent as it would not break the bank for the team if they were to bring him in via trade.

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An intriguing option, Elias is not having the best season for the Mariners as he currently sports a 4.07 ERA. There are many things about his season, however, which do not tell the entire story.

For instance, Elias from last season has increased his strikeout percentage from 16.2% to 23.8%. He has also managed to keep his walk rate still relatively low at 8.6%, and batting average against from hitters is at just .220, which is a good sign.

Another exciting aspect of Elias’ game is his fastball and probably profiles as his best pitch. While the velocity for it sits in the 66th-percentile according to Statcast, his spin rate on the fastball is in the 91st-percentile, giving him one of the nastiest moving fastballs in the league.

Despite the higher ERA for Elias this season, over the past two years since the Mariners reacquired him, Elias sports an outstanding 3.29 ERA in 93 innings pitched. In that span, Elias has managed to hold opposing hitters to a .233 average and striking out 19.7% of batters faced. He also has a sub-one HR/9 rate.