3 budget-friendly free agent relievers the Cubs could target as bounceback candidates

The Chicago Cubs enter this offseason with no shortage of roster questions, but rebuilding the bullpen is chief amongst them.

Nearly every reliever from last year's team hit free agency this winter, aside from Porter Hodge and Daniel Palencia. The team also non-tendered Eli Morgan, so Jed Hoyer has plenty of work to do. They've already added former St. Louis Cardinal Phil Maton to a two-year contract, and he figures to be on the expensive end of the type of reliever that the Cubs typically target.

Ever since Craig Kimbrel's expensive and disappointing tenure in Chicago, the team has been gun-shy about signing big-name relievers. A recent report from The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma suggests that this year will be no different, so it's a good bet that Maton will be one of the larger (or maybe the largest) deals that the Cubs shell out for the bullpen this year.

It's safe to assume that Hoyer and company will be targeting guys on the lower end of the market or arms that are looking for a bounce-back year. This is an approach that has worked wonders for the Cubs in recent years, with Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz blowing expectations out of the water in 2025. With that approach in mind, here are three guys who make sense for the Cubs to consider.

3 affordable bullpen options the Cubs could target this winter

Tommy Kahnle

An eleven-year MLB veteran, Tommy Kahnle is a prime bounce-back candidate for 2026. Last year didn't feature the right-hander's best work, as he accumulated a 4.43 ERA and a -0.2 bWAR with the Detroit Tigers. But the prior two seasons saw Kahnle post a combined 2.38 ERA over 83 1/3 innings pitched.

He's a unique pitcher who heavily relies on his command and changeup, which he used for 86 percent of his deliveries last year. The command escaped him at times, leading to a high walk rate. But the Cubs' pitching lab might be able to unlock something in the veteran, and he should come fairly cheap given his age and down year.

Michael Kopech

Michael Kopech is an interesting case. On one hand, he's had a lot of success since getting traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. Kopech has proven he can rack up strikeouts, and he has looked much more comfortable on the mound after being converted to a relief pitcher.

On the other hand, that success was limited to just 35 innings since he spent significant time battling multiple injuries last year. A one-year prove-it deal is the logical outcome for Kopech this year, making him attractive for the Cubs as long as his medicals are clean.

Jordan Romano

Jordan Romano signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Philadelphia Phillies worth $8.5 million before last season. Unfortunately, Romano did not live up to his years as a closer for the Toronto Blue Jays. Romano's 8.23 ERA is alarming, as are the 45 hits he surrendered, which is more than the number of innings he tossed (42 2/3).

There's a lot of risk involved here, but Romano is only heading into his age-33 season and his fastball still averaged 95.5 MPH last year. The guy also has 177 games finished and 113 saves in his career. His experience and upside make him a quintessential bounce-back candidate and the Cubs could come away with a steal if they're willing to roll the dice.