Chicago Cubs Rumors: Brooks Raley among targets for bullpen help

The Chicago Cubs appear to have an eye on addressing the pitching staff ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline.

The deadline is at 5 pm CST today and the Cubs bolstered their offense on Monday by trading for Washington Nationals third baseman Jeimer Candelario. With Candelario now in the mix as the team's middle-of-the-order bat, the Cubs likely will target relief help today.

Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic report that the Cubs are among the teams that are expressing interest in New York Mets' reliever Brooks Raley.

"Brooks Raley is “definitely” available, one industry source said. The Mets hold a club option on Raley for 2024 ($6.5 million with a $1.25 million buyout) that, given his success this season, would likely be exercised by them or any acquiring team. For what it’s worth, Raley has quite enjoyed playing in New York...
The ascending Cubs are a possibility here, per league sources, but a host of other teams linger as well."

The Athletic

Interestingly enough, like Candelario, Raley is a former Cubs prospect. Raley was drafted by the Cubs in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Draft but was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins in 2014.

Raley has been having an excellent season with the Mets. Raley has posted a 2.37 ERA in 46 appearances out of the bullpen for the Mets this season. While Raley has leaned toward being a fly-ball pitcher this season, for his career, he has typically induced more ground balls than fly balls. That would mold well for the Cubs' defense and ability to convert ground balls into outs.

Given the fact that the Cubs are in need of a left-handed reliever to add to the bullpen, Raley would be an ideal target but may be on the pricier given the team would have control for the 2024 season.

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