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

The Cubs 2025 roster is starting to take shape, but GM Jed Hoyer still has room to improve the roster, particularly in the bullpen.

Oct 6, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Tanner Scott (66) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning during game two of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Tanner Scott (66) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning during game two of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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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.

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