Cubs Still Have Eyes On Top Reliever Before Trade Deadline

You know the story by now, the Chicago Cubs are still looking for pitching help, specifically the bullpen (although starting pitchers not out of the picture) and the latest report has a new reliever linked to the North Side and also the best remaining relief pitcher in trade rumors. Here's the latest from 670 The Score's Bruce Levine.

The Cubs still have their eye on adding another reliever. Blue Jays righty reliever Ryan Tepera and Padres righty reliever Kirby Yates are two players whom the Cubs have scouted closely.

First, let's begin with San Diego Padres reliever Kirby Yates. Yates, 31, has been incredible for the Padres this year, posting a 1.60 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 39.1 innings. The right-hander has 50 strikeouts to 11 walks, and three of the seven earned runs he's allowed this year came on July 7, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Not only is he the best reliever made available in the trade market right now, but the price for him is also high because Yates is under team control for two more years. So, he still has two more arbitration seasons left before becoming a free agent after the 2020 season. The Cubs are trying, but it's going to be tough to get Yates. Via The Athletic.

Sources indicate that the Cubs are actively pursuing relief help, with the Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins all logical matchups. The Cubs were a finalist for Baltimore righty Brad Brach, but he was eventually moved to Atlanta on Sunday. They currently have their sights set a bit higher. A more controllable, high-impact arm, like the Padres’ Kirby Yates, would likely be cost prohibitive. But from rentals to longer-term help, the Cubs are casting a wide net in their pursuit of arms.

We've already talked about the Miami Marlins connection with Brad Ziegler, read that here, but as Levine and Sahadev Sharma wrote, the Cubs are also looking at the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen. Ryan Tepera is the other player along with Yates, who Levine reported as being scouted closely by the Cubs. Tepera, like Yates, is under team control for another few years, as the Blue Jays' reliever doesn't become a free agent until 2022. The 30-year-old has a 3.71 ERA and 1.26 WHIP for Toronto this season, striking out 48 and walking 14 in 43.2 innings. In his career, Tepera has a 3.49 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 169 appearances with the Blue Jays. One day away from the trade deadline. Expect one more move by the Cubs.