The Cubs’ eight-inning collapse against the Diamondbacks Sunday exposed their biggest roster weakness, despite bouncing back with a three-game sweep of the Athletics. With a comfortable 6-2 lead and just six outs remaining, the bullpen imploded.
Caleb Thielbar started the meltdown with a pair of walks before Eli Morgan surrendered a two-run double to Geraldo Perdomo and a game-tying homer to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Josh Naylor then delivered the knockout punch with a go-ahead double. Morgan took the loss, but the 38-year-old Thielbar’s struggles highlighted a critical issue. The veteran lefty posted a 5.32 ERA with Minnesota last season while walking over 11% of batters faced, yet he’s currently Chicago’s only southpaw reliever.
That’s simply not good enough for a team with playoff aspirations and an offense that leads MLB in runs scored. The Cubs desperately need a reliable left-handed bullpen arm.
Athlon Sports’ Andrew Wright believes they could find their solution in Tampa Bay’s Garrett Cleavinger.
“Cleavinger would join Thielbar in the Chicago bullpen and give manager Craig Counsell another option to come in and face left-handed hitters throughout the season,” Wright wrote.
The 31-year-old Cleavinger was rock-solid for the Rays in 2024, posting a 3.75 ERA across 68 appearances. But he’s becoming expendable in Tampa. Hard-throwing Mason Montgomery’s emergence has pushed Cleavinger down the pecking order, while promising minor leaguers Ian Seymour and Joe Rock offer more versatility, upside, and youth.
What might a deal look like? Wright suggests the Rays would receive starting pitcher Javier Assad and infield prospect Yahil Melendez. Assad isn’t as flashy as some arms already in Tampa’s rotation, but he proved he belongs in the majors last year with a 3.73 ERA across 29 starts. He’d provide solid depth once he returns from his current oblique injury.
The 19-year-old Melendez, meanwhile, ranks as the Cubs’ 24th-ranked prospect after posting an impressive .819 OPS in rookie ball last season. His inclusion could make this a win-win for both clubs.
The way things are going, the Cubs can’t afford to wait much longer to address their left-handed relief situation. Their potent offense deserves better bullpen support if they’re serious about contending this season.
