The Cubs went into the 2026 trade deadline trying to patch a few different holes, and on paper they did just that. Chicago added Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor to help the rotation and shore up the outfield, then dipped into the bullpen market with a deal for Ryan Zeferjahn from the Angels.
That last move was supposed to bring in a power arm. Zeferjahn arrived after posting a 3.66 ERA in 45 outings for Los Angeles, the kind of résumé that suggested he could fit into a meaningful relief role right away.
Instead, the early returns in Chicago have been rough enough to flip the story on its head. Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report went so far as to say the Cubs “made their bullpen worse,” arguing that the idea behind the move was that Zeferjahn could slide into a high-leverage spot and help steady the unit.
That hasn’t happened. Zeferjahn has labored through 11 appearances for the Cubs, and the numbers are ugly: a 7.20 ERA and -0.3 bWAR. In 10.0 innings, he’s given up eight earned runs, 13 hits, four walks and two home runs, while striking out 10.
His 5.20 FIP suggests the ERA may be a little harsh, but the 1.700 WHIP tells the bigger story. The damage has been real, and it has piled up quickly.
Reuter’s broader point was even starker, calling the Cubs bullpen a “ticking time bomb.” With Zeferjahn struggling, Daniel Palencia not pitching well, and other relievers also scuffling, the late innings suddenly look like a major concern.
Chicago may have done enough to feel better about the rotation, but the bullpen remains shaky. The hope now is that Justin Steele and Edward Cabrera can come back and give the Cubs some quality innings out of the pen. If they can’t, the Zeferjahn trade may end up looking like one that only made the problem worse.
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