Jacob Webb is proof why it's too early to worry about one Cubs trade deadline addition

The most polarizing trade the Cubs made at the trade deadline was sending Moises Ballesteros and Mason McGwire to the Los Angeles Angels for controllable relief pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn. It was a steep price to pay, but with Zeferjahn under control through the 2030 season, it felt like a worthwhile gamble for the Cubs.

If Zeferjahn transcended into the lights out closer at the back of the Cubs' bullpen, no one would think twice about Ballesteros or McGwire now being with the Angels. While Zeferjahn flashed that potential with the Angels this season, the risk was that he hasn't really shown that level of success consistently outside of this year.

His early run with the Cubs also hasn't been a bright spot. Through his first six appearances with the Cubs, Zeferjahn sports an ERA of 8.44. Only his first outing with the Cubs, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, was a clean appearance.

Certainly not exactly what the Cubs were expecting, but it's important to remember that six appearances is entirely too small of a sample size to make any final determinations. Zeferjahn was an unfinished product with the Angels, but his potential is off the charts. It will be up to the Cubs to make the necessary changes to unlock that level of success.

Jacob Webb's success is why the Cubs won't give up on Ryan Zeferjahn

The Cubs history with developing pitching has been checkered. That said, they have a higher hit-rate with relief pitchers than they do starting pitchers and one shouldn't look further than the success Jacob Webb has had this season.

Webb entered Wednesday with 22 consecutive scoreless appearances under his belt. On the season, his ERA was at 2.29 through 55 appearances. Striking out over 27% of the hitters he's faced this season, Webb has emerged as the go-to closer for Craig Counsell down the stretch. That likely won't change once Daniel Palencia makes his return from injury.

Why Webb's success is relevant to what is currently happening with Zeferjahn is that the veteran looked like a clear DFA candidate through his first nine appearances with the Cubs this season. He sported a 5.87 ERA while walking 13.5% of the hitter he's faced. He was quickly relegated to mop-duty before the Cubs unlocked the version of Webb we see today.

That doesn't mean that Zeferjahn will have a similar switch flipped this season. It's possible it may not happen. But making that determination after just six appearances is foolish.

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