Mets push their chips in, complicating the Cubs' search for late-inning weapons

Steve Cohen wants a championship. That's the message the New York Mets are sending with their trade deadline moves so far, acquiring Gregory Soto of the Baltimore Orioles, Tyler Rogers of the San Francisco Giants and Ryan Helsley, the St. Louis Cardinals' flamethrowing closer.

The Mets acquired Helsley, set to his free agency at season's end, in exchange for a trio of prospects: Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt. None of the three are in MLB Pipeline's top 100, but Baez is New York's eighth-ranked minor leaguer and Dohm ranks #14. The Mets' bullpen blitz ahead of Thursday's deadline was met by the NL East rival Phillies' deal for Twins closer Jhoan Duran in what's quickly become a division arms race.

Cubs yet to make their first deadline move as closers come off the board

The Chicago Cubs salvaged the finale against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday afternoon behind a bounceback effort from Shota Imanaga - but are yet to swing their first deadline deal. The bullpen is known to be a top priority of Jed Hoyer and the front office, so seeing four prominent arms come off the board will surely raise fans' anxiety levels with less than 24 hours till the deadline.

Of course, the bullpen market lost a major name earlier this week when Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on leave, stemming from a league gambling investigation. But Cleveland could still trade setup man Cade Smith (although that could end up being a crippling blow depending what happens long-term with Clase) - and the Pittsburgh Pirates could move former All-Star David Bednar, whose price tag is climbing by the minute.

Chicago's bullpen has struggled lately, and the team designated early-season standout Chris Flexen on Tuesday in a pre-deadline shake-up. But if there's one lesson to be learned from Flexen's DFA and worrisome outings from Drew Pomeranz and Ryan Pressly recently, it's that the fairy dust that kept the Cubs' relief corps afloat in the first half seems to be quickly fading.

Now, it's all eyes on Hoyer to find reinforcements - while also landing at least one high-caliber starter, shoring up the bench and potentially adding a major bat (yes, we're still talking about Eugenio Suarez after all this time).