After their nixed trade with the Los Angeles Angels for Reid Detmers, the Chicago Cubs are back on the board with a meaningful move.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Cubs are acquiring RHP Ryan Zeferjahn from the Angels.
Passan wrote: “The Chicago Cubs are acquiring right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels, sources tell ESPN.”
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Cubs Land Ryan Zeferjahn from Angels
GettySACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 20: Ryan Zeferjahn #56 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches against the Athletics in the bottom of the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park on June 20, 2026 in Sacramento, California. The Angels won the game 7-0. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Ryan Zeferjahn has pitched in parts of 3 MLB seasons, all with the Los Angeles Angels.
This season, he’s posted an ERA of 3.66 over 51.2 innings with 75 strikeouts, which is a really strong mark.
For his MLB career, Zeferjahn holds an ERA of 3.94 across 125.2 total IP and 166 total SO. His lifetime WHIP is 1.265.
Leading up to the trade deadline, all the reports surrounding the Cubs pointed to the fact that Chicago wanted to acquire at least three pitchers. The Cubs bullpen has been shaky, and if Daniel Palencia returns shortly, Ryan Zeferjahn and Palencia form a strong back end of the bullpen.
MLBTR.com’s AJ Eustance wrote (about Zeferjahn’s 2026 campaign):
“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.”
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What Did the Cubs Give up For Ryan Zeferjahn?
GettyANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MAY 05: Ryan Zeferjahn #56 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 05, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The full details of the Ryan Zeferjahn to Chicago Cubs trade have been revealed by MLB insider Jeff Fletcher.
The Angels are receiving Moises Ballesteros and RHP Mason McGwire in the deal.
Fletcher wrote (via X.com): “Ballesteros is a LHH catcher with a .736 OPS in 79 MLB games. McGwire is no 20 on Cubs BA list. (Capo Valley HS)”
Ballesteros has recorded 156 at-bats this season and is batting .231 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and an OPS+ of 91.
The Cubs are pretty loaded at the catcher position right now, and their top prospect (Owen Ayers) is also a catcher, so Moises Ballesteros was likely viewed as expendable.
Chicago Cubs Acquire Angels’ Reliever Ryan Zeferjahn