Cubs Acquire Ryan Zeferjahn From Angels

The Cubs are acquiring righty reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Angels, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The Halos are getting catcher Moises Ballesteros and right-hander Mason McGwire in return, reports Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. The 28-year-old Zeferjahn is having a steady season out of the Angels’ bullpen. In 51 2/3 innings, he has a 3.66 ERA, as well as a 33.5% strikeout rate that ranks in the 97th percentile in the majors, according to Statcast. ERA estimators are even more favorable to Zeferjahn, with xERA (2.93) and SIERA (3.37) putting him around half a run better than the 3.66 figure. Both his high-90s four-seamer (+2 Run Value) and his sweeper (+8) grade out as above average pitches and have helped Zeferjahn take a step forward in his third big league season. Solid as those numbers are, Zeferjahn has been even better in the last two months. Dating back to June 1st, he’s fired off 26 innings with a 1.38 ERA and a staggering 41.9% strikeout rate. He’s still giving up his share of walks, running a 13.3% walk rate even during that dominant stretch. Nonetheless, Zeferjahn’s penchant for strikeouts and improvements with run prevention made him a valuable target for teams seeking relief help. The Angels have mostly used Zeferjahn in low leverage spots this year, and he figures to take up the middle innings in the Cubs’ bullpen. The North Siders are currently working with a closer committee of Jacob Webb, Trent Thornton, and Caleb Thielbar. Webb has a 2.59 ERA and good strikeout and walk numbers in 48 2/3 innings. Thornton is outperforming his peripherals and only striking out 11.5% of opponents. Thielbar has an ERA just under 4.00 and an above-average strikeout rate, but he’s due for regression on a .247 BABIP. Zeferjahn could serve as a bridge to those three, striking hitters out in bunches while generally keeping the ball in the park. On the Halos’ side, the deal is the latest in what’s becoming a rare deadline sell-off. Owner Arte Moreno has never been one to make sell-type moves, even in non-competitive seasons, but the situation appears to be different under interim general manager John Mozeliak. On Wednesday, they sent Logan O’Hoppe and Chase Silseth to the Rangers. Just today, they’ve traded Brent Suter to the Braves, Jo Adell to the Guardians, and Jose Soriano to the Blue Jays. Zeferjahn is now the sixth player the Angels have dealt off the big league roster in less than a week as they look to restock a depleted farm system. More to come. View Comments (77)