3 closers the Cubs should target at the trade deadline

The Chicago Cubs need a closer. It's that simple.

Ryan Pressly has proven he is not consistent enough to handle the job anymore and the Cubs need a proven guy to handle the job. Porter Hodge can/has done it for the Cubs in the past, but the bullpen situation would look much more stable with him in a setup role.

The Cubs could use a proven veteran who still has gas left in the tank to work the ninth inning, and there should be some solid options at this year's trade deadline.

1. Kyle Finnegan

Kyle Finnegan has been the closer for the Washington Nationals for the better part of four seasons and he's a guy that would fit perfectly with the Cubs. The main part of Finnegan's story since breaking into the league in 2020 is durability. The 33-year-old has four straight seasons of logging at least 63 innings pitched with a sub-4.00 ERA under his belt. In that time, he has also collected 103 saves and 39 holds in a Nationals uniform.

This year has been no different. Through his first 19 appearances, Finnegan owns a 2.41 ERA, and he is tied for second in the league with 15 saves. His fastball has averaged around 96 mph in velocity and although he isn't striking out a ton of hitters (21.5 K rate), he is limiting hard contact and inducing groundballs (45.5% K rate) which would play with the Cubs' elite defense.

Finnegan is only signed to a one-year contract and the Nationals have a very limited path to the playoffs with the Mets, Phillies, and Braves in their division. Finnegan will almost certainly get moved at the deadline and he would give Chicago a proven closer for the playoff push.

2. Félix Bautista

Standing at 6'8, Félix Bautista is a formidable presence on the mound for the Baltimore Orioles. From 2022-23, the strong right-hander compiled 126.2 innings out of the Orioles' bullpen with a cumulative ERA of 1.85. Bautista also amassed 14 holds, 48 saves, and 198 strikeouts in that timeframe, making him one of the most elite relievers in the game.

Unfortunately, that insane run was derailed by Tommy John surgery that Bautista underwent last February, which left him sidelined for the entire 2024 campaign. He was able to recover in time for 2025, and he has looked excellent for the most part. The 29-year-old strung together nine straight scoreless appearances in April and early May. Although he's given up runs in four straight outings and his ERA is a bit inflated at the moment (4.30), this could also be a product of the Orioles' season falling off a cliff as they have a 16-32 record at the time I'm writing this.

A change of scenery would likely do Bautista wonders because his deeper numbers are still fantastic. The fastball velocity is still a strong 97 mph, and he's generating a ton of whiffs (33% rate) and strikeouts (26.6% rate). His walk rate of 17.2% is a bit alarming, but he's always struggled with free passes, so that's nothing new. Bautista has two additional years of team control after 2025, so it would take a couple of prospects to get a deal done. But with the Orioles in serious trouble this year, they could be enticed to move Bautista, and the Cubs need to check in on his price.

3. Pete Fairbanks

Like the others on this list, Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks comes with plenty of experience. Since 2020, the 6'6 right-hander has pitched out of the Rays' bullpen in either a setup or closer capacity with a lot of success. In 235 games since 2019, Fairbanks has a 3.20 ERA, with 71 saves, 33 holds, and a 31% career strikeout rate.

The downside with Fairbanks is that he comes with the most injury risk. Since 2023, the 31-year-old has landed on the injured list four times with four different injuries. When he's on the mound, he is nails, but the injuries are something to keep in mind.

Fairbanks is under contract through 2025 with a club option for 2026 worth $7 million. The guy would be a great fit for the Cubs with his high groundball rate (51.8% this year) and his ability to generate strikeouts.