The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline.CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs didn’t hide the fact that they were seeking pitching this MLB trade deadline. On Monday, Jed Hoyer, Chicago’s president of baseball operations, went out and got the bat-missing, right-handed reliever his team needs. But it didn’t come cheap.The Cubs agreed to acquire hard-throwing reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels for designated hitter/catcher Moisés Ballesteros and pitching prospect Mason McGwire (son of Mark). That’s a hefty price to pay for a reliever, but in fairness, Zeferjahn seems to be ascending and is under control through 2030.Ballesteros opened the season as arguably the Cubs’ top prospect. One of the best pure hitters in the minors in recent seasons, he made the team’s Opening Day roster and seemed like he was locked in as the team’s DH. The lefty started off the season red hot, boasting a 166 wRC+ on May 3 and looking like the player the organization loved so much as he was developing in its system.But Ballesteros eventually went ice cold and was sent down to the minors in the middle of June. He has yet to find his stroke at Triple A (where he has an 80 wRC+ in 32 games). If he can get back to his best form at the plate and catch even a little bit — the Cubs thought he was passable there by the end of his tenure — this could be a nice addition for the Angels.It’s not easy to find strikeouts in the bullpen and the Cubs had to pay up to get it, especially for a pitcher who is under control for so long. Zeferjahn addresses a major need for Chicago. The Cubs’ bullpen entered play on Monday with a 21.3 percent strikeout rate, 21st in baseball. The team had hoped to find more swing-and-miss, preferably from the right side. Zeferjahn answers both.Andy McCullough helps you process the Skubal tradeAndy McCulloughIn 51 2/3 innings for the Angels this season, the 28-year-old has a 3.66 ERA and a 33.5 percent strikeout rate. Only eight eligible relievers have a higher strikeout rate this season. Zeferjahn should end up working late-game situations along with Jacob Webb, Caleb Thielbar and eventually Daniel Palencia, who is expected to return from the injured list soon.Zeferjahn does have a 14.3 percent walk rate, but he counteracts it with a .163 batting average against. Pair that with his elite strikeout rate and the Cubs top-tier defense, and he should thrive in Chicago. He’s under control through 2030 and has multiple options remaining.The presence of veteran Michael Conforto (115 wRC+) and emergence of switch-hitter Pedro Ramírez gives the Cubs two lefties they can deploy as needed at the big-league level. That likely made Chicago more comfortable giving up Ballesteros as it tries to fortify a playoff contender it believes has enough offense and an elite defense.McGwire hadn’t shown much in prior seasons, but broke out in 2026. He had a 2.40 ERA in 10 appearances (five starts) at low A while striking out 36.6 percent of the batters he faced and walking just 8.1 percent. After a promotion to high A, McGwire’s numbers have dipped, but he’s still seen as a solid prospect. In general, Chicago’s system isn’t known for its pitching and the Cubs seemed more than willing to part with their arms after a pitching-heavy draft left them more optimistic in the future.