This American League East team could be the answer to the Cubs' pitching woes

The Chicago Cubs' need for more pitching has been on their mind since before the season started, and as we progress, it has evolved from a want to a necessity. Injuries to the rotation and inconsistent bullpen performance have already had people looking at options beyond just Sandy Alcantara. Hey, the Rays are always making trades, right? And they always seem to have good arms, right? Well, let's play that game.

Tampa Bay has not been a great team, but not a total bottom-feeder either. They have several clubs to leapfrog in a powerful American League East to get into a postseason spot, so while not impossible, their playoff odds are not great. If they do indeed sell, and the Cubs are still in a position to buy, they have some intriguing arms that could help bolster their staff.

Drew Rasmussen

The 29-year-old righty has been quietly very good over the past few years as both a starter and reliever. He is a career 2.90 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, 0.72 HR/9 pitcher across 362 2/3 innings, mixing in a 95-97 MPH fastball, cutter, sinker, sweeper and curve. This year in nine starts, he's pitched to a 2.60 ERA, and a .213 opponent batting average after firing six scoreless frames against Toronto on Friday.

Rasmussen is on a two-year deal, making $2.25 million this year and $5.75 million next year with a club option in 2027. If financials are a factor for the Cubs, this is a good starting arm at a steal of a contract. One downside is that he has a history of elbow issues, having had multiple Tommy John surgeries in college and a recent surgery in 2023. To his credit, he keeps coming back and pitching well.

If the Rays were to decide to deal Rasmussen, assuming health, it would likely not be cheap with the value in his pitching and contract.

Pete Fairbanks

In terms of looking for a possible closer or additional late-inning reliever, the 31-year-old righty should be near the top of the wish list. Boasting 71 career saves and 293 strikeouts in 225 career innings, while currently pitching to a 2.25 ERA, 1.2 WHIP, and 2.44 FIP this season, he should be catching the eye of several suitors looking for bullpen help. He can crank the fastball up around 97 MPH and mixes in breaking and occasional offspeed stuff.

The strikeout rate has dipped a bit over the past few years from north of 30 percent to around 23 percent, but the results are still good. He's consistently been between a 2.60-3.00 FIP pitcher and keeps the ball in the yard. Fairbanks is making $3.6 million this year with a club option for 2026.

If the Rays are in sell mode, it would be pretty safe to assume they'd be fielding calls on the veteran reliever. He might not be the most dominant arm on the market, but assuming he keeps delivering results like he has in recent years, he'll still be a hot commodity.

Garrett Cleavinger

It's very early, but lefty Garrett Cleavinger is having a very good season out of the Rays' pen. The 31-year-old sports a 1.89 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 3.40 FIP, and 2.95xFIP, 11.37 K/9, and 1.89 BB/9 in 19 innings. He has struck out 24 hitters and walked only four in those 19 innings. Cleavinger is mostly a sinker/slider pitcher while registering a few four-seamers, sweepers, and cutters. He is a career 3.40 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 29 percent strikeout rate pitcher in 132 2/3 innings.

He's making $1.2 million this year and is under team control through 2027. This could potentially be another good opportunity to add another reliable southpaw to the pen. Especially valuable having one that misses bats.