Bullpen options to address major need on Chicago Cubs holiday shopping list

A plethora of bullpen arms remain available on the free-agent market. Several all-star closers from last season such as Tanner Scott, Kyle Finnegan, Carlos Estevez, and Kirby Yates attract the window shoppers, many other quality options still sit patiently like green bananas waiting to be picked in the produce aisle.

With the Cubs reducing payroll by over $50 million the next two seasons after shipping Cody Bellinger to the Yankees, Jed Hoyer can get creative with how he wants to use those savings. There’s plenty of options for him to spend that money on: Roki Sasaki, a final slot for the rotation, an extension for Kyle Tucker, a veteran third base option if Matt Shaw proves he’s not quite ready for the big leagues yet, or bolster the bullpen that could use a more established veteran to go along with the likes of breakthrough sophomore Porter Hodge, Tyson Miller, Nate Pearson, and Eli Morgan.

But with so many names out there, some of which have been all-star nominees over the past three seasons, and currently rostering many holdovers from last year, the bullpen could use an upgrade or two considering the Cubs finished 4th-worst in save percentage last season, converting only 59.4 percent of opportunities. And we all know how excruciatingly painful that stretch went last August. The goal should be to minimize damage in high-stress situations, not induce even more.