The Chicago Cubs seem to be on a path to acquire a left-handed reliever before Tuesday’s trade deadline. They have been mentioned in trade rumors for several relief pitchers and as of late, specifically left-handed relievers.

But the clock is ticking. You can cross off Brad Hand from the list, as he was traded to the Atlanta Braves from the Colorado Rockies earlier on Tuesday.

Here are some of the other lefties the Cubs have been linked to recently, including another one from the Rockies.

Here’s what ESPN’s Jesse Rogers wrote about the Cubs pursuit of relief help.

Via ESPN.

Now that the Cubs are certain to add, bullpen needs are a top priority. It’s likely the team wants to remain under the first luxury tax threshold, so cheaper additions could be in order. Rockies left-handers Brad Hand and Brent Suter fit the bill, but White Sox reliever Aaron Bummer might be the best of the group simply because he’s a ground ball machine. The White Sox didn’t have the defense behind him to take advantage, but the Cubs do. Bummer is signed through next season, so the return would be decent for the White Sox, though considering he has a 6.69 ERA this year, the Cubs probably wouldn’t have to give up a top prospect to land him.

Brent Suter

Yup, you remember him pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers and despite not being a guy who has dominant stuff, he pitched well against the Cubs and he’s now gone on to become a good reliever in Colorado.

So far in 2023, Brent Suter has a 2.79 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 36 appearances for the Rockies. The lefty has only surrendered two home runs in 48.1 innings.

The Rockies first acquired Suter off waivers in the offseason from the Brewers. The lefty is set to earn a total of $3 million in his fourth and final year of arbitration. He will be a free agent following the 2023 season.

Aaron Bummer

He’s No. 1 on my list. I love his ground ball rate, he strikes out a lot of hitters and he has a great track record prior to his bad 2023 season with the White Sox. Plus, he’s still under control through 2024 and he has team options for a few more years after that as well.

The results haven’t been pretty for Bummer in 2023, as he’s posted a 6.69 ERA in 36.1 innings. His walk rate is slightly above his career average, which is at 11% this year, but he’s still striking out guys at a great clip, a 28.2 K%. Also, when you look at his 2.40 FIP and 3.30 xFIP, you get an idea of a pitcher that has been kinda unlucky.

From 2019-22, Bummer made 161 appearances with the White Sox. During those four seasons, the left-handed reliever recorded a 2.59 ERA, with a 27.2 K% and 71.1% ground ball rate. I mean, with that success and the ability to keep the ball on the ground, you start to compare him to guys like Zack Britton during his prime.

Get Bummer with a great middle infield on the Cubs please and thank you.

Brooks Raley

The New York Mets are selling and that includes left-handed reliever Brooks Raley.

Via The Athletic.

Brooks Raley is “definitely” available, one industry source said. The Mets hold a club option on Raley for 2024 ($6.5 million with a $1.25 million buyout) that, given his success this season, would likely be exercised by them or any acquiring team. For what it’s worth, Raley has quite enjoyed playing in New York ….

The ascending Cubs are a possibility here, per league sources, but a host of other teams linger as well.

The 35-year-old has been excellent with the Mets in 2023, posting a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings. He has 43 strikeouts, has saved three games and has 19 holds out of the bullpen. This impressive season is coming after he was also great with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022. Last year, Raley had a 2.68 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 53.2 innings.

Fun fact, Raley was drafted by the Cubs in the sixth round back in 2009. The lefty began his MLB career with the Cubs, making 14 total appearances in 2012 and 2013.

Andrew Chafin

Speaking of former Cubs pitchers, Andrew Chafin could be dealt and the Cubs are seen as a potential fit for the veteran left-hander.

Chafin, 33, has taken a step back in Arizona this year. He has a 4.19 ERA in 43 appearances. He’s recorded 8 saves, but he’s also blown 4 others. However, he has a good track record and the Cubs are familiar with his pitching profile. The Cubs first acquired Chafin back in 2020 from the Diamondbacks and in 2021, the lefty was fantastic. In 43 games, Chafin had a 2.06 ERA with the Cubs before he was traded to the Oakland A’s. He was even better out there, posting a 1.53 ERA in 29.1 innings with Oakland.

In 2022, Chafin pitched for the Tigers and was good again, 2.83 ERA in 64 appearances.