3 relievers the Chicago Cubs could target without breaking the bank

Although he admitted his failings in setting the Chicago Cubs bullpen up for success in 2024, don't expect Jed Hoyer to change his approach anytime soon. The team President once again indicated that the team will be looking for effective relievers on a lower budget, targeting guys they believe their infrastructure can put in the right spots to thrive. It also means leaning on talented young arms like Porter Hodge to continue breaking out and thriving throughout the season.

That's not likely to sit well with any Cubs fans after a year where their late-inning failings early in the season helped sink their season before it even reached the halfway mark. 2023, similarly, saw them lean too heavily on Adbert Alzolay, Julian Merryweather, and Mark Leiter Jr. and flame out at the very end. Even if it's an inconsistent strategy at best and they could use another shutdown arm, it can still work out in the end - as long as they target the right guys.

The good news is that this offseason will be full of interesting names for teams looking to restock their bullpen on the relatively cheap. There's a lot of room for the Cubs to play around in a similar realm to last year's ill-fated $9 million Hector Neris signing, without having to approach the contracts arms like Tanner Scott are likely going to draw. Let's look at three names that the team should have circled this winter to improve their chances in 2025.

1. Jorge López

The most obvious move the Cubs can make with their bullpen is to simply bring back one of the guys that spearheaded their turnaround. Jorge López was a revelation down the stretch in Chicago, pitching to a 2.03 ERA and 3.20 FIP in 26 2/3 innings with the team. For the year between the Cubs and Mets, he also boasted a respectable 3.59 xERA. As a back-end setup guy with the ability to step in and close on occasion, he was exactly the remedy the team needed, adding a bit of power with a fastball that topped out this year at around 98 mph.

Importantly, López felt very comfortable pitching with the Cubs. His time in New York ended in ugly fashion after a misunderstanding following a game where he was ejected and threw his glove into the stands. The situation turned out to be a blessing for both parties as the righty's ERA fell 1.73 points in Chicago while his strikeout rate and groundball rate surged from 17.1% and 44.2% to 29.2% and 59.1%. They know how to put López in positions to succeed. Relievers are volatile, but the relationship gives hope that they can make it work again if he remains healthy.

Since his conversion into a reliever with Baltimore in 2022, López has shown an extremely high upside that the Cubs desperately need. His performance in his brief stint in Cubbie blue and comfort with the team is more than enough reason to hand him another one-to-two-year contract to continue pitching on the North Side.

2. A.J. Minter

A particularly massive criticism that can be levied at the Cubs' 2024 bullpen is that they lacked a lefty for much of the season. Luke Little appeared to be making strides as a big-league-caliber reliever, but a left lat strain cut his campaign short. Leiter Jr., who functioned as their lefty out-getter thanks to his reverse splits, was also traded at the deadline for Jack Neilly and Ben Cowles. Whether Little bounces back or not, there has to be a concerted effort from the team to address their lack of answers from the left side.

Caleb Ferguson would be one fine option coming off a middling year, but A.J. Minter stands out for the upside. The Braves reliever has had plenty of success over the years in Atlanta, pitching to a career 3.28 ERA and 2.89 FIP. By results, 2024 was more of the same, with a 2.62 ERA in a more limited 34 1/3 innings and a lesser but still solid 26.1% strikeout rate. Though he's better utilized as a setup man, he does also have some experience as a closer if needed and has boasted a fastball around 96 mph for most of his tenure.

What will ultimately keep Minter's price lower comes down to injuries. A left hip impingement sidelined him for most of the year and eventually required surgery to repair. Whether it's related to the injury or not, his average fastball velocity also dipped to 94.8 mph, the lowest mark of his entire career. There's always going to be a concern over whether he'll be able to recapture his form even from as recent as 2023 or 2022. For a Cubs team that doesn't seem willing to approach the top of the relief market, shouldering that risk might be worth it for a guy with a history of sustained success on a contending team.