Story perspectives

Cubs Acquire Five, Including Gausman and Zeferjahn, at Deadline

8/6/2026

Summary

Cubs Add Pitchers

The Chicago Cubs added five players—Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Braxton Garrett, Ryan Zeferjahn and Tyrone Taylor—at the 2026 deadline.
Jed Hoyer, the club’s president of baseball operations, said the Cubs never neared a controllable starter.
Gausman arrived with a 5-10 record, 4.38 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 127.1 innings.
Zeferjahn, acquired for Ballesteros, posted a 1.38 ERA, 44 strikeouts in 26 innings, 97.4 mph velocity and a 34.6% whiff rate.

Summary

Valdez Surges

After getting glasses a month ago, international signing Luis Valdez has surged offensively, reigniting his prospect ranking.
Catcher Jace Poteet, with 18 homers this year, is battling a 37 % strikeout rate at High-A South Bend.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ system now lists Asian-American prospects Brett Bateman and Ty Southisene, both high-contact, speed-oriented players expected to serve mainly as bench depth, with Southisene offering positional flexibility.

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Cubs Add Pitchers

The Chicago Cubs added five players—Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Braxton Garrett, Ryan Zeferjahn and Tyrone Taylor—at the 2026 deadline.
Jed Hoyer, the club’s president of baseball operations, said the Cubs never neared a controllable starter.
Gausman arrived with a 5-10 record, 4.38 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 127.1 innings.
Zeferjahn, acquired for Ballesteros, posted a 1.38 ERA, 44 strikeouts in 26 innings, 97.4 mph velocity and a 34.6% whiff rate.

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