Cubs strengthen bullpen with latest trade for Ryan Brasier |
Well, it's better late than never, or at least that is the approach the Cubs have taken this offseason. After being one of the quieter teams for the past month, things have begun to pick up on the Northside as they have added more pieces to their roster.
While the minor league deals technically count as pieces, we're talking more about the significant pieces that can and will help this team win this season. Trading for Ryan Pressly was the first of those moves as the Cubs finally landed the closer they had been searching for. Most fans expected the Cubs to be after that move, but that is far from the case. It's the opposite, as that trade has set the wheels in motion for many potential moves. That includes the possible trade for Dylan Cease, whom the Cubs remain connected to, and the increasing rumors that the Cubs are still in on Alex Bregman. Those rumors took a massive turn late Tuesday night when it was reported that the Cubs have an offer on the table for Bregman: four years for around $120 million. While the Bregman talk has been the center of the Cubs universe the past few days, it's hard to ignore the trade they made on Tuesday as the Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Ryan Brasier from the Dodgers for a player to be named later. Everyone knew that several strong relievers would be considered roster casualties once the Dodgers landed Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. Brasier was one of those casualties as he was DFAd by the Dodgers last week and now finds himself heading to the Northside. It may not seem like a significant deal, but getting a reliever of his caliber without giving anything up should be considered a win for this team, as Brasier gives the Cubs another high-leverage arm to use. This also signals the end of the major league relief signings for the Cubs, as it could be minor league depth signings from here on out. In order to make room for Brasier, left-hander Rob Zastryzny has been DFAd by the Cubs. Zastryzny was with the Brewers last season and was picked up as a free agent. It was one of the first moves the Cubs made this offseason. There is the hope that he clears waivers so the Cubs can stash him in Iowa, as he is a great left-handed depth piece.
Getting back to Brasier for a minute and what he brings to the table. Not only are you getting a proven righty, but a righty who has held virtually every position in the pen and knows how to pitch in big games. His age (37) does concern you a bit, but don't let his age fool you, as Brasier was not only a late bloomer but has gotten better with age, especially in the past few seasons.
Look no further than the 2023 season, when he began with the Red Sox before being traded to the Dodgers. Brasier was an absolute stud that year, which is why the Dodgers brought him back on a two-year, nine-million-dollar deal. In the first year of that deal, however, Brasier didn't have the season he nor the Dodgers hoped he would, as he was limited to just 28 innings due to a severe calf injury.
When he returned, Brasier didn't pitch as well as in 2023, but with a 3.54 ERA, he still showed he had plenty to offer. Brasier would wind up making the postseason roster and pitching in several key games, tossing a 2.25 ERA in those games and looking like the pitcher the Dodgers paid him to be. You started to see that after he returned from his injury, he posted a 2.76 ERA leading into the postseason, covering 17 innings.
While his role with the Cubs is unclear at this point, at the very worst, they are adding another proven high-leverage guy who can pitch in any situation. Expect him to be more of a sixth or seventh-inning guy with an occasional eighth-inning, as the Cubs bullpen is far more flexible than it was a season ago. Credit Hoyer for continuing to monitor the open market and finding a way to get deals like this done.
