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.

Righties

In his lone season in the Lone Star State, Kirby Yates excelled as the Rangers’ closer in 2024 with 33 saves over 61.2 innings with a 1.17 ERA and limiting hitters to a .407 OPS against him. Not only was he good enough to be named an all-star, but he also finished 9th in AL Cy Young voting this past season. Yates looked like his former dangerous self from his time with the Padres after struggling to overcome injuries from 2020 to 2022. Over the past two seasons, Yates converted 38 of his 42 save opportunities, leading the cast of available relievers by a considerable margin.

Carlos Estévez certainly made a name for himself as one the league’s top free agent back-end relievers over his past two seasons with the Angels and Phillies. An all-star in 2023, Estévez rode that momentum and held opponents to a downright filthy .235 wOBA, good enough to finish in the Top 4% of all pitchers in the MLB. He also did significant work in limiting walks, dropping all the way down to only giving a free pass to 5.7% of batters.

Another up-and-coming name in the closer department is Kyle Finnegan, formerly of the Nationals. Since becoming the full-time ninth-inning man in 2023, Finnegan has finished off the fourth most games in baseball with 66 saves the past two seasons, earning him a trip to the All-Star Game in Arlington this past July. With the least amount of service time among the list on the market, he may have the most palatable bang for your buck to make him one of the more attractive candidates for Hoyer to pursue.

While never a full-time closer, Jeff Hoffman has really shined as a more than dependable back-end reliever with the Phillies over the past two seasons. Last year, Hoffman finished in the top ten of all National League relievers with 21 holds, while also supplying 10 saves here and there throughout the season. Much like Yates and Finnegan, Hoffman was also named an all-star in 2024, his first appearance.

Long-time veterans David Robertson and Kenley Jansen also remain on the market but are likely to come with much heftier price tags.

Lefties

While not an end-all-be-all to only have two lefties in Luke Little and Rob “Friday” Zastryzny, it wouldn’t hurt to try and pursue another. Tanner Scott clearly stands out among the most coveted candidates. Also an all-star in 2024, Scott earned 22 saves across his time with both the Marlins and Padres. Opposing hitters don’t do much against him as he limited offenses to a .528 OBP over the past two seasons. What makes him really shine though is that he’s only allowed 3 of his 41 inherited runners to score in that timeframe. Run prevention is the name of the game and Scott simply does not let it happen on his watch.

Similarly to Scott, Danny Coulombe also shuts down innings quite well, allowing 13 of 70 inherited runners to score since 2021. A steady change of pace for the Cubs, Coulombe simply doesn’t walk very many batters. However, he has struggled to stay off the injured list during that stretch, he is currently recovering from surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow. This type of option seems to line up quite well with Jed Hoyer’s history of buying low on guys making injury recoveries or career resurgences.

Another back-end lefty option is longtime Braves southpaw A.J. Minter. A steady staple piece to Atlanta’s bullpen, Minter has maintained a dependable 3.28 ERA across eight seasons with the team and has experience in both closing and set-up roles, amassing 30 holds and 11 saves the past two seasons. He also comes with injury baggage as he spent two stints on the injured list in 2024 due to left hip inflammation.

Other left-handed candidates include Matt Moore and former North Siders Brooks Raley and Andrew Chafin.

Additional Options

Among the other options still available on the market, a couple really stick out with plenty of experience in the late innings.

Tommy Kahnle has held down the fort for both the Yankees and Dodgers the past few seasons, honing a stellar 2.38 ERA in 83.1 innings since 2023.

Andrew Kittredge posted a 2.47 ERA in 182 innings when healthy since 2020 with the Rays and Cardinals. Kittredge also led the MLB with 37 holds this past summer.

There is also room to offer Jorge López a new contract with the Cubs, who threw to a 2.03 ERA in 26.2 innings since signing with the team last June. Although he struggled between the Twins, Marlins, and Orioles in 2023, López showed glimpses of his all-star self in 2022.