Breaking: Cubs trade for RHP Ryan Brasier (Updates)

The Cubs have acquired Ryan Brasier from the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources have confirmed to CI.

As Jeff mentions, Brasier was DFA’d recently when the Dodgers signed Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. Brasier appeared in 28 games for the Dodgers last season with a 3.54 ERA. He has great extension, with a walk rate that rivals some of the best in baseball.

More to come as we learn what the Cubs send back to Los Angeles.

Update 1 – The return for Brasier from the Cubs to the Dodgers is a player to be named later or cash. I don’t think it’s likely to be cash since Brasier was DFA’d by the Dodgers and they are on the hook for most of his $4.5 million salary in 2025.  I suppose the Cubs may agree to pick up his entire salary, but I think it’s more likely the Cubs trade a fringe minor league player to the Dodgers while the Dodgers absorb some of Brasier’s salary. We’ll see.

Update 2 – Here is the full press release from the Chicago Cubs:

CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today acquired right-handed pitcher Ryan Brasier from the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named later or cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny has been designated for assignment. The Cubs 40-man roster currently stands at 40 players.

Brasier, 37, is 10-8 with a 3.85 ERA (122 ER/285.1 IP) and 10 saves in 297 career major league games (five starts) with the Los Angeles Angels (2013), Boston Red Sox (2018-23) and Dodgers (2023-24). In 2024, the right-handed pitcher went 1-0 with a 3.54 ERA (11 ER/28.0 IP) in 29 games (four starts) with the Dodgers, holding the opponent scoreless in 22 of his 29 appearances. He pitched in eight postseason games, helping Los Angeles capture a World Series championship.

The six-foot Brasier made his major league debut in 2013 with the Angels, but saw his most extensive major league action beginning in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox. The righthander posted a 1.60 ERA (6 ER/33.2 IP) in 34 games with the Red Sox in the regular season and appeared in nine of Boston’s 14 postseason contests, allowing only one run (1.04 ERA), en route to winning his first career World Series title. Brasier in 2019 registered a career-high seven saves for Boston in 62 games.

After pitching in parts of four more seasons with the Red Sox from 2020-23, Brasier was released by Boston and signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers June 4, 2023. He had his contract selected by the Dodgers June 20 and went 2-0 with a 0.70 ERA (3 ER/38.2 IP) in 39 appearances to end the season. He surrendered only one earned run after the All-Star break and tossed 10.1-straight scoreless innings in September.

A Wichita Falls, Tex. native, Brasier was selected by the Angels in the sixth round of the 2007 draft out of Weatherford Community College in Texas. The righthander is a graduate of Wichita Falls Rider High School.

Zastryzny, 32, was claimed off waivers from Milwaukee Nov. 4, 2024. In 54 career major league games (five starts), he is 4-0 with a 4.30 ERA (32 ER/67.0 IP).

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