(670 The Score) The first of what’s expected to be several members of the Cubs bullpen to be traded before the deadline Friday is headed out of town.
Chicago traded lefty reliever Andrew Chafin to the Oakland Athletics on Monday evening, the teams each announced. In return, the Cubs received Triple-A outfielder Greg Deichmann and Class-A right-hander Daniel Palencia.
Deichmann, 26, is hitting .300 with four homers, 34 RBIs and an .881 OPS in 59 games at Triple-A this season. He has never appeared in an MLB game. Oakland selected Deichmann in the second round of the 2017 MLB amateur draft. He was rated as the No. 9 prospect in the Athletics' organization, according to MLB Pipeline.
Palencia, 21, has a 6.91 ERA in 14 1/3 innings at low Class-A Stockton this season. He was ranked as the No. 12 prospect in Oakland's system, according to Fangraphs.
Chafin, 30, is having a sensational season, posting a 2.06 ERA and 0.84 WHIP 43 appearances. He returned to the Cubs last offseason on a one-year deal that includes a mutual option for 2022.
Beyond Chafin, All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel and righty reliever Ryan Tepera are also drawing a great deal of interest on the trade market, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score has reported.