Cubs add AL West bullpen castoff in a move that screams 'trust the process'

The Winter Meetings are concluding, and the Chicago Cubs have made a signing--though, far from the one anyone was expecting. The Cubs are signing right-handed pitcher Collin Snider. The deal was first announced by Tread Athletics, a pitching development organization the Cubs have leaned on in recent years.

The Cubs have yet to announce the deal, and assuming this is a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training, there may not be an official announcement until closer to February. The Cubs love a pitcher who possesses a fastball with unique movement, and Snider's work with Tread Athletics is likely the reason why he popped up on the team's radar.

Cubs' latest minor-league signing is a reminder of Tyler Zombro's rising voice in the front office.

Earlier this offseason, it was reported that Tyler Zombro, formerly of Tread Athletics, would have a larger role in the Cubs' front office. Therefore, it's no surprise to see there being a streamline created between pitchers working with Tread eventually signing deals with the Cubs.

Snider spent the last two seasons with the Seattle Mariners, and actually flashed some success in 2024. The 30-year-old veteran posted an ERA of 1.94 in 42 appearances while striking out over 27% of the hitters he faced. He wasn't as successful in 2025, posting an ERA of 5.47 in 24 outings, but only walking 5% of the hitters he faced.

If the Cubs can find a way to blend his success limiting walks last season with the ability to miss bats he demonstrated in 2024, Snider could quietly turn into a bullpen candidate next season. Though for the Cubs' sake, the hope is they add another established reliever to the bullpen before the start of the season.

Speaking from the Winter Meetings earlier this week, Jed Hoyer confirmed the search is ongoing for more pitching. Of course, Snider wasn't the first pitcher who came to mind for Cubs fans when Hoyer made those comments.

The Cubs are leaving the Winter Meetings having yet to check the box of adding a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. That could change in the coming days, with the Cubs being linked to multiple trades, but as days linger with inactivity, the anxiety of the fanbase will grow.