Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season

Cubs: Which free agents should the front office target?

The free agent bullpen market is always filled with talent. Relievers are such streaky players that it is possible to strike gold and get a formidable bullpen without breaking the bank which the Cubs have done a good job of lately.

Despite trading Scott Effross, the Cubs are still looking to add pitchers with big sweeping sliders and funky arm slots, which has been apparent throughout their development of the farm system.

Players that fit that mold in free agency include Taylor Rogers, Brad Hand and Corey Knebel. All of them are veterans that have had success in the big leagues and would be candidates to close for the Cubs if brought on board. If they want to spend big, these would be the targets to really keep an eye on.

Some older veterans worth a look include Sean Doolittle, Steve Cishek, Anthony Bass and Rafael Montero. We watched the Cubs add a lot of veteran relievers this season and flip them at the deadline. If they struggle early next season, the same process could take place as they continue to improve the farm system.

With so many free agents out there in the reliever market, it is difficult to predict who – or how many – the Cubs will ultimately sign. The thing to focus on is the presence of a tremendous breaking ball or unique arm slots. That seems to be the building block for the pitching staff.