Adding a legitimate closer would create a domino effect in the Cubs bullpen

During a radio hit on ESPN 1000, insider Jesse Rogers said that he believes the Chicago Cubs will sign a closer before the end of the offseason, which could have an interesting effect on the rest of the team's relief corps.

After blowing 26 saves last season and suffering multiple key injuries, the Cubs bullpen needs more stability heading into 2025 and there is no better way than signing a legitimate closing pitcher. Adbert Alzolay held the position in 2023 and 2024, but has since been released by the team after undergoing elbow surgery last year.

There are still a lot of good candidates available since the relief pitcher market has been relatively slow this winter. Tanner Scott is viewed as the top free agent, but it would be shocking if the Cubs' front office dished out a multi-year deal to a reliever, no matter how good he's been. Since Scott is rumored to be seeking at least a three-year contract, it would be a shocking change of pace from Jed Hoyer and co.

But there are still quality arms, ranging from veterans like Kenley Jansen, David Robertson and Kirby Yates, to younger guys like Carlos Estevez and Kyle Finnegan. Adding any of those guys to the bullpen mix would strengthen the team's ability to compete in close games and their projections, which are pretty poor, according to some outlets.

Projections don't mean everything, but the Cubs' president of baseball operations is certainly banking on a lot of guys repeating the success they saw in 2024. 23-year-old Porter Hodge is one of those guys, who broke out last year to post a 1.88 ERA with 52 strikeouts, nine saves and nine holds. Given Hodge's youth and limited big-league experience, pushing him further down the depth chart would be wise. That being said, it's hard to imagine Hodge not earning a bullpen spot to start the season, making the bullpen crunch a little complicated if a closer comes in.

Who is the odd man out if Jed Hoyer signs a closer?

With only eight spots to work with, Hoyer will have some decisions to make come Opening Day on March 18. One of the objectives during spring training will be determining who gets the fifth starting pitcher job, and barring any unexpected starting pitching additions, it will go to either Javier Assad or Colin Rea.

Hodge still has three minor league options available, but his importance down the stretch has likely earned him a lot of trust in manager Craig Counsell's eyes. He also provides much-needed fastball velocity (95.5 MPH avg.) and a setup role seems likely.

Tyson Miller, Julian Merryweather, and Caleb Thielbar are also likely to secure jobs since they do not have any minor-league options left. Miller looks like a middle relief/low leverage option while Thielbar will provide a lefty specialist type of make-up. Merryweather has great velocity and strikeout potential to slot back into the setup role he excelled in during the 2023 campaign if he can stay healthy.

One of the main additions of the offseason was trading for Guardians right-hander Eli Morgan, who posted a 1.93 ERA in 32 appearances last year. It also feels likely that the 28-year-old is a lock since the Cubs were obviously eager to acquire him, sending high-upside outfielder Alfonsin Rosario to Cleveland for him.

The last spot would have to go to Nate Pearson, who seemed to figure things out after the Cubs traded for him last July. Pearson owned a 2.73 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings for Chicago in 2024.

Barring any spring injuries or extremely poor performance, this feels like the group that Chicago's bullpen will consist of if a closer is added. The odd man out would be Ben Brown, who dazzled as a starter after his early major league call-up last year. Unfortunately, Brown was sidelined for several months with a season-ending neck injury. Although he was cleared for a normal offseason buildup in November, the injury will likely impact the number of innings the Cubs will let him throw in 2025.

A starting pitching role is highly unlikely with an innings limit and there's no room for him on the big-league rotation anyway. This doesn't mean we won't see Brown on the Cubs this year. Someone in the bullpen will get hurt and he is probably at the top of the depth chart to fill in. It would be nice to see him log high-leverage innings in Triple-A in the meantime and possibly even serve as the team's closer.

Brown's development aside, adding a closer is a no-brainer and it would give the team's bullpen a much stronger look heading into 2025. Similar to how adding Kyle Tucker's star-power to the offense elevates the entire lineup, a closer would take pressure off the volatile bullpen and make it easier for everyone to succeed.