Chicago Cubs Linked to Diamondbacks Star Closer Ahead of Deadline

The Chicago Cubs have been linked to acquiring closer from the Arizona Diamondbacks ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

The flip in mindset for the front office has become official the past couple days for the Chicago Cubs. They have gone from definite sellers at the deadline to buying pieces to upgrade their team.

It doesn't come as a huge shock though. The team has played their way firmly into the playoff race as they've won eight of their last 10 games and sit four games back in the NL Central race and three-and-a-half games back of the final Wild Card spot.

New York Post MLB Columnist, Jon Heyman, is reporting the Cubs are still looking to add arms to their pitching staff ahead of the trade deadline today.

He says they are targeting closer Andrew Chafin from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Chafin is a left handed reliever who has spent time in Chicago for parts of two seasons. The Cubs acquired him at the trade deadline in 2020, brought him back for a season in 2021, before trading him to the Oakland Athletics at the 2021 trade deadline.

The veteran lefty has struggled this season. He's putting up a 4.19 ERA through 34.1 innings pitched. That's his highest ERA since he since he was traded away from the Diamondbacks at the deadline in 2020.

During his time with the Cubs he put up ERAs of 3.00 and 2.06 in the pitcher friendly ballpark.

With Arizona acquiring closer Paul Seawald from the Seattle Mariners earlier in the week, Chafin is now on the market.

With Chicago looking to push for the playoffs, they could reunite with a familiar arm before the trade deadline hits today.