The Chicago Cubs are trading DH/catcher Moises Ballesteros and right-handed pitcher Mason McGwire to the Los Angeles Angels in a deal for right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Zeferjahn.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan first broke the acquisition of Zeferjahn, who is under team control through the 2030 season. So far in 2026, Zeferjahn has a 3.66 ERA with 75 strikeouts in 51.2 innings.
Jeff Fletcher, who covers the Angels, first reported the trade package going from the Cubs to the Angels.
Zeferjahn has closer stuff, but he’s also been wild throughout his MLB career. The righty has a career 13.4 BB% in 125.2 MLB innings, but his 33.5 K% also ranks No. 9 among all relievers in 2026.
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Since June 6, Zeferjahn has been nasty, recording a 1.13 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 24 innings.
It’s tough to lose Ballesteros, who began the 2026 season on the Opening Day roster for the Cubs. The left-handed hitter was on fire during April, but cooled off in May and was eventually optioned to Triple-A in June. Overall in 2026, Ballesteros had a slash line of .231/.303/.385 with six home runs in 59 games.
McGwire, 22, has a 3.64 ERA in 59.1 innings in A-Ball this year.
By the way, still no word on Reid Detmers. Michael Cerami did double down on his report.
We’ll see what happens with that.
