3 relievers the Cubs should target to avoid selling out at the MLB trade deadline

The 2026 MLB Draft and All-Star break are now a thing of the past, and the MLB trade deadline should come into focus over these next few weeks. The Cubs, 12 games above .500 entering the weekend, are clearly going to be buyers at the deadline.

Of course, the Cubs were buyers at the deadline last summer, and the impression was the front office took their foot off the gas pedal. There are several reasons why that shouldn't be the case this season.

First and foremost, the Cubs' contention window is clearly open. It was open last season when they traded for one season of Kyle Tucker, and the offseason signing Alex Bregman and trade for Edward Cabrera was even more validation.

That level of urgency needs to be matched at the deadline. Additionally, there's no telling what the landscape of baseball will look like after the 2026 season. The 2027 season may not start on time, and that is a clear reason why this moment shouldn't be punted on.

The Cubs need bullpen help, and they should be able to find it at the MLB trade deadline

No, it's unlikely the Cubs are going trade for Mason Miller, and the same is probably true for Josh Hader. Aroldis Chapman does make sense for the Cubs, but the Boston Red Sox are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now. There's a variety of reasons why some targets may not be realistic, but that doesn't mean the Cubs won't have options.

LHP Brooks Raley, New York Mets

Brooks Raley made his debut with the Cubs in 2012, and it's been quite the journey for him before he turned into one of the better high-leverage southpaws in baseball with the Mets over the last four years. This season, in 39 appearances, Raley has an ERA of 2.04 while striking out over24% of the hitters he faced.

The Cubs had interest in Raley before he re-upped with the Mets ahead of the 2025 season, and it stands to reason that interest is still there. A free agent after the season, the Mets are certainly going to shop Raley. Along those lines, Raley's status as a rental should put him within the Cubs' reach without the team sacrificing other needs they have.

RHP Ryan Zeferjahn, Los Angeles Angels

Given the needs the Cubs have across their pitching staff this season, and into the offseason, Jed Hoyer and Co. will likely be looking for controllable arms at the deadline.

Sure, Miller and Hader check that box; but a trade for Miller would get the Cubs' farm system, and it's unlikely the Cubs would want to take on Hader's contract. Los Angeles Angels' right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn should be a name to keep an eye on. He's a pre-arbitration righty with a fastball sitting in the upper-90s. He would bring much needed velocity to the Cubs' bullpen, and the ability to miss bats, striking out over 31% of the hitters he's faced. His control will be costly in terms of trade capital, but it could be worth it for the Cubs.

LHP Adrian Morejon, San Diego Padres

Mason Miller isn't the only San Diego Padres reliever the Cubs should be interested in. A more realistic target should be left-handed relief pitcher Adrian Morejon. Morejon has a fastball approaching triple digts, and striking out over 28% of the hitters he's faced this season. He would be a rental, so again, the asking price shouldn't be too high.

Most importantly, Morejon is a lefty. Adding another established southpaw to the bullpen should be the goal for the Cubs at the deadline. Between Caleb Thielbar's struggles and Hoby Milner still on the IL, Ryan Rolison can't be the only dependable lefty the Cubs have in their bullpen.

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