It’s Tuesday here at BCB After Dark: the hippest hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and stay with us. Misery loves company. There are still a few tables available. The hostess will seat you now. There’s a two-drink minimum, but bring your own beverage.
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party
started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
The Cubs lost to the Brewers again, 9-3. You don’t want to talk about that. At least I don’t want to talk about it.
Last night I asked you what you’d offer the Nationals for left-handed starter Mackenzie Gore. Fifty-six percent of you said my offer number four was something you’d accept. I also said that was an offer that the Nationals probably wouldn’t accept. So that’s why Gore will probably stay in DC.
On Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, I don’t do any movie stuff. But I always have time for jazz. Those of you who skip that can do so now.
Tonight I have saxophonist Michael Brecker performing on of my favorite jazz standards, “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise.” Brecker is joined by fellow Philadelphian Christian McBride on bass, Benny Green on piano, Alvin Queen on bass and Ulf Wakenius on guitar.
Brecker passed in 2007. This is from 2003.
Welcome back to everyone who skipped the music.
The series with the Brewers have exposed cracks in the Cubs’ bullpen that had been put together with chewing gum and duct tape. Don’t get me wrong: That contraption that team president Jed Hoyer put together out of spare parts was very good throughout much of the season. But like a twenty-year-old Renault, it’s not standing up to the rigors of the race.
The Cubs today DFA’d Chris Flexen. The impressive story that has been Drew Pomeranz is starting to turn bad. I’ve been one of Ryan Pressly’s biggest defenders, but he clearly doesn’t have anything now. Time for him to be let go or, more creatively, come up with some sort of injury that will put him on the shelf for a month as he works things out in a long rehab stint in Iowa.
Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar, Ryan Brasier and Daniel Palencia can stay. But they need reinforcements. Javier Assad starts his rehab in Iowa tomorrow (or today if you’re reading this on Wednesday) but the Cubs need more help than that. Porter Hodge has been on his rehab in Iowa since Saturday, but he’s not looked good. At least he hasn’t looked ready to return to Wrigley at the moment.
So I’m going to ask you which reliever rumored to be available at the deadline do you want the Cubs to go after. I’m going to list some of the pros and cons of each player and some of their stats. I’m not going to list Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, because I think it highly unlikely that the Cubs and Cardinals make a deadline deal.
Twins right-hander Jhoan Duran.
6-4. 16 saves in 18 attempts. 2.01 ERA. 25.7 K% 8.7 BB%
Pros: Maybe the best reliever on the market. Not eligible for free agency until 2028.
Cons: Strikeout rate is good, but not elite. Twins don’t have or even want to trade him, so he might be really expensive. Like Jefferson Rojas or Jaxon Wiggins expensive.
Guardians right-hander Cade Smith
2-43 saves in 6 attempts. 3.20 ERA. 33.3 K% 8.7 BB%
Pros: Has been an elite setup man his whole career, which is two seasons. Not eligible for free agency for four more years.
Cons: With Emmanuel Clase’s future uncertain, the Guardians probably won’t sell. Would probably cost an elite prospect for Cleveland to move him now. Maybe even Owen Caissie.
Twins right-hander Griffin Jax
1-5, 3.91 ERA. 36.7 K%. 6.7 BB%
Pros: Just elite stuff hiding behind a ho-hum ERA. Strikeout and walk rates are phenomenal. Two more years of team control.
Cons: Other than a lack of closing experience, just cost, really.The Twins have said they would need to be “blown away” to deal Jax, so we’re talking a top prospect again.
Pirates right-hander David Bednar
2-5 2.37 ERA. 17 for 17 in saves. 33.1 K% 6.5 BB%
Pros: Proven closer who is almost certain to be traded. One year of team control after this one. Not likely to cost as much as the first three names on this list.
Cons: Was really bad early last season before he put things back together. Some risk of regression. While not likely to cost an elite prospect, he won’t be cheap either.
Padres right-hander Robert Suarez
3-4 3.50 ERA 30 for 34 in saves. 26.6 K% 6.9 BB%
Pros: Proven closer and two-time All-Star. Peripherals say he’s much better than his ERA would indicate. Padres want to trade him for prospect capital to fill other roster holes.
Cons: Is a free agent after this year. (He has a player option that he will not exercise.) Like Bednar, won’t cost an elite prospect, but won’t be cheap either.
Rays right-hander Pete Fairbanks
4-3 2.75 ERA. 18 saves in 21 opportunities. 20.2 K% 9.2 BB%
Pros: Proven closer. Has a cheap team option for 2026. High ground ball rate plays into the Cubs strengths.
Cons: Doesn’t strike out a lot. May not be available. Won’t cost an elite prospect, but likely a pretty good one as Tampa Bay doesn’t need to sell.
Angels left-hander Reid Detmers
3-2 3.91 ERA 2 saves in 5 chances. 29.5 K% 9.5 BB%
Pros: Peripherals are better than his ERA would indicate, although not elite. Under team control through 2028. Has been a starter and some still think he could convert back to starting in the future. Probably would only cost a mid-level prospect.
Cons: Track record of success is quite small. The Cubs would also have to do a deal with the Angels, which adds all kinds of dysfunction and difficulties.
So of these choices, which reliever do you want the Cubs to trade for?
Thank you for stopping by. We could use the company. We’re always glad to see you. Please get home safely. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow for more BCB After Dark.
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- Jed Hoyer receives multi-year contract extension to stay with the Cubs
- Today in Cubs history: Ryne Sandberg’s first retirement
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- Cubs vs. Brewers Monday 7/28 game threads
