Cubs Targeting Orioles, Rays Relievers to Bolster Bullpen for Playoff Push

Cubs Targeting Orioles, Rays Relievers to Bolster Bullpen for Playoff Push originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Chicago Cubs need multiple bullpen upgrades and have narrowed their sights on two targets.

According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, Chicago has looked into Baltimore Orioles’ reliever Seranthony Dominguez and Tampa Bay Rays’ closer Peter Fairbanks. Levine adds that the Cubs are “working hard to acquire additional bullpen pieces” ahead of the deadline.

Dominguez, 30, would give the Cubs a late-inning relief option with closing experience. Through 42 games this season, the right-hander has a 3.32 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 40.2 innings. He also has 40 saves throughout his seven-year career, including two this season with the Orioles. Baltimore will be one of the top sellers on the market, making Dominguez a prime trade candidate.

Unlike Baltimore, the Rays are reluctant to part ways with their current crop of bullpen arms due to a laundry list of injuries plaguing the position, according to Levine. The Rays may also refrain from selling since they are 1.5 games behind the final AL Wild Card spot.

If Chicago were to convince the Rays to deal Fairbanks, they would be getting one of the more dominant pitchers available. In 39 games, Fairbanks has a 2.84 ERA, 32 strikeouts, and 17 saves. The right-hander could work in tandem with the Cubs’ current closer, Danny Palencia, or take over the role altogether.

In a must-win season and after watching their NL Central lead dwindle, the team's president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, is leaving no stone unturned to improve the team for a post-trade deadline playoff push.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.