Cubs strike trade with Angels that feels like closure on Reid Detmers deadline drama

It's been a curious past hour for the Chicago Cubs, considering it looked like they were on the verge of trading for Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels. Further reporting has pushed back on that claim, and with news of the Cubs trading for Braxton Garrett, the idea of Detmers trade still happening felt less likely.

That doesn't mean the Cubs weren't able to iron out a deal with the Angels. ESPN's Jeff Passan reports the Cubs have acquired right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn from the Halos.

Cubs add much needed velocity to bullpen in Ryan Zeferjahn trade with Angels

As would have been the case with Detmers, Zeferjahn arrives to the Cubs with years of control. In fact, Zeferjahn is under control through the 2030 season, and for that reason, the Cubs were forced to part with Moises Ballesteros as part of the deal.

In what has become a lost season for the Angels, Zeferjahn as emerged as a potential stud in the bullpen. His fastball velocity sits in the upper-90s, and he's striking out over 33% of the hitters he's faced this season. With his ability to miss bats, comes a struggle with command, walking over 14% of the hitter he's faced this year. Still, at the clip in which he is striking out hitters this season, a team can live with the walks.

It will be curious to see how Craig Counsell chooses to deploy Zeferjahn initially. It's possible he immediately becomes the team's closer as Daniel Palencia nears a minor-league rehab assignment, but he almost certainly will be used in high-leverage situations. At the very list, bridging the gap to the end of games just got much easier for the Cubs.

It's no surprise that the deal with the Angels included two notable prospects. Moises Ballesteros was the Opening Day designated hitter for the Cubs, and the impression was that he was pretty close to untouchable in trade talks. Even with his demotion to Triple-A Iowa this year, the organization remained high on his hit-tool. That should speak to the level of belief the Cubs have in Zeferjahn.

Mason McGwire was an ascending pitching prospect in the Cubs' system, named to the MLB All-Star Futures Game this season. That said, after the Cubs drafted 16 pitchers in this year's draft class, someone like McGwire was expendable in trade talks.

Credit to the Cubs, Zeferjahn profiles as a pitcher they've been begging for in the bullpen. His profile suggests he's on the verge of becoming a staple at the end of the games, and given the control, it was going to be costly.

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