Former Cubs reliever is torpedoing his new team's playoff chances with poor play

On deadline day, the Chicago Cubs were very quiet, with the only move of note coming in the form of trading reliever Mark Leiter Jr. to the New York Yankees in exchange for minor leaguers Ben Cowles and Jack Neely.

Obviously, the jury is still out on what, if any, impact either of those guys will have in Chicago, but the early returns on Neely, in particular, have been eye-popping: six appearances spanning 6 2/3 scoreless innings, 13 strikeouts and one walk. Meanwhile, things couldn't be going worse for Leiter Jr. in the Bronx.

Talk about a bad first impression. For the better part of the last three seasons, the right-hander had been one of the Cubs' most reliable late-inning relievers. The Yankees desperately needed added stability in the pen amidst Clay Holmes' ongoing struggles, but have not found it in Leiter Jr.

The 33-year-old has allowed runs in three of his last four outings - and with the Yankees and Orioles tied for first in the American League East, this race seems likely to go down to the wire. Getting Leiter Jr. back on track has to be a top priority for New York. Coughing up the division crown could cost Brian Cashman his job, especially if his moves at the deadline fail to be the difference-makers he hoped for.

Cubs have a very good chance of coming out on top in this trade

As I noted, the move could actually end up looking worse for the Yankees and Cashman in a year or two. If Leiter Jr. continues to struggle and the Yankees come up short in their quest for their first World Series title since 2009 and Neely turns into a legitimate shutdown option in Chicago, it could haunt the Bronx Bombers for years to come.

The Cubs were right to sell high on Leiter, especially when you consider the pipeline of young arms making its way through the system. A few weeks in, at least, this is looking like a stroke of genius from Jed Hoyer and the Chicago front office.