The Chicago Cubs have been prominently linked in MLB trade rumors this summer to multiple starting pitchers, including a few All-Stars. While adding a starter is still a top priority, Chicago is also making a strong push to improve its bullpen.<\/p>\n
Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reported that the Cubs are \u201cworking hard\u201d on strengthening their bullpen ahead of the MLB trade deadline. While multiple relievers are on the table, Chicago is reportedly very interested in Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks and Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez.<\/p>\n
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Related: Ranking the 6 Reported Cubs Trade Targets<\/strong><\/p>\n Pete Fairbanks stats (ESPN):<\/strong> 2.84 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .196 batting average allowed, .552 OBP allowed, 32-15 K-BB in 38 innings pitched<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Fairbanks, age 31, would be an outstanding addition to the Cubs\u2019 bullpen. The Wisconsin native has been one of the best closers in the American League over the last three seasons. While he hasn\u2019t received an All-Star selection, the righty has a 3.01 ERA with a 10.1 K\/9 and a 2.77 K\/BB ratio in his last 128.2 innings pitched.<\/p>\n However, acquiring him could prove difficult.\u00a0The Athletic\u2018s Patrick Mooney, Katie Woo, and Will Sammon report that the Rays are \u201chearing out interested teams\u201d on Fairbanks but \u201cstrongly prefer\u201d to keep him past the MLB trade deadline.<\/p>\n Related: Dylan Cease Trade Landing Spots, Including Mets<\/strong><\/p>\n Seranthony Dominguez stats (ESPN):<\/strong> 3.32 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 53-24 K-BB, .211 batting average allowed, .641 OPS allowed in 40.2 innings pitched<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n That\u2019s where Dom\u00ednguez could come into play. The 30-year-old righty had a rough May (7.15 ERA), but he\u2019s been effective outside of that. In his first 11 appearances (10 innings), he posted a 2.70 ERA with 5 hits allowed. From May 19 through July 24, he had a 2.39 ERA with 19 hits allowed in 26.1 innings.<\/p>\n Dom\u00ednguez would also be cheaper to acquire, as he\u2019s a half-season rental who will become a free agent this winter. If Chicago determines Tampa Bay\u2019s asking price is too high, Dom\u00ednguez is a reasonable fallback plan to help the Cubs\u2019 bullpen.<\/p>\n Related: Chicago Cubs Game Today, Cubs Schedule 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n Related Headlines<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Chicago Cubs have been prominently linked in MLB trade rumors this summer to multiple starting pitchers, including a few<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":71267,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[281,282,44,272,2677,2675,2676,2678,294],"class_list":["post-71266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb","tag-baltimore-orioles","tag-chicago-cubs","tag-mlb","tag-mlb-trade-deadline","tag-nathan-ray-seebeck-imagn","tag-pete-fairbanks","tag-ray-seebeck-imagn","tag-seranthony-dominguez","tag-tampa-bay-rays"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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