Chicago Cubs: grading every move from the 2025 offseason

Ryan Brasier trade: A

The Cubs effectively completed their bullpen transformation when they traded for Ryan Brasier at the beginning of February. Brasier has been an effective set-up man for the Dodgers since 2023, with a 1.89 ERA in 66.2 innings pitched. Along with Pressly and Hodge, Brasier gives the Cubs three legitimate arms for the high-leverage innings and takes some pressure off others like Nate Pearson, Julian Merryweather, and Tyson Miller.

After the Dodgers beefed up their bullpen by signing Kirby Yates, Tanner Scott, and Blake Treinen, they were virtually forced to part with someone like Brasier even though he was a vital contributor for Los Angeles. The Cubs pounced on the opportunity and leveraged a great deal. Brasier is only making $4.5 million in 2025, but the Dodgers are eating a portion of it while the Cubs are sending a player to be named later in the trade.

There's some injury concern since Brasier is 37 years old and he spent time on the IL with a calf strain last year. But the Cubs traded very little for the potential upside and Brasier provides a nice boost to the reliever depth.

Eli Morgan trade: B

Yet another low-risk, high-reward bullpen move came early on in the offseason. The Cubs struck a deal with the Cleveland Guardians to land middle reliever Eli Morgan in exchange for single-A prospect Alfonsin Rosario. The 28-year-old posted an impressive 1.93 ERA in 32 games for the Guardians last year.

Morgan is not a velocity guy, but his pitch mix induces a lot of weak contact and he typically doesn't issue many walks (6.4 career walk percentage). With the other additions to the bullpen, Morgan will be a great option for the middle innings, who can step into a high-leverage situation if needed.