Cubs could actually benefit from the Tigers signing free-agent closer Kenley Jansen

My first reaction to the news the Detroit Tigers were following up their re-signing of Kyle Finnegan with a one-year deal for Kenley Jansen was frustration. The Chicago Cubs have glaring needs in the bullpen, even after bringing in Phil Maton and Hoby Milner - and Jansen was a guy who wasn't going to break the bank.

Detroit will pay Jansen $11 million next year, and the deal includes a club option for 2027. According to Spotrac, the signing pushes the Tigers' payroll north of $210 million - the highest mark the club has run in quite some time.

The veteran right-hander spent the 2025 season with the Angels and, despite pitching in his age-37 campaign, remained a reliable late-inning option. Jansen notched 29 saves with a sub-1.000 WHIP and 2.59 ERA in 59 innings of work. Shortened 2020 season aside, that makes 14 straight seasons he's saved at least 25 games - a remarkable run of consistency for the Curacao native.

Tigers reportedly had interest in Pete Fairbanks - a potential Cubs target

So how, exactly, does this help the Cubs? Detroit was rumored to have interest in Pete Fairbanks, another name that's been tied to Chicago in offseason rumblings. His market has been slow-moving to this point, but subtracting a club from the running (assuming Harris doesn't go out and add Fairbanks on top of Finnegan and Jansen) only helps the Cubs' chances.

The depth chart right now has 2025 breakout closer Daniel Palencia handling ninth-inning duties next season, with Maton handling key seventh or eighth-inning duties. Milner fits more as a nice bridge guy who's particularly effective against lefties and internal candidates like Luke Little, Porter Hodge, Ben Brown, Javier Assad could also factor into the equation.

Adding Fairbanks to the back of that mix and bumping everyone up an inning would give Counsell a solid 1-2 punch in the late frames, with Fairbanks and Palencia both capable of dialing up impressive velocity. Hopefully, the Jansen signing means Tigers are done snagging relievers and the Cubs can lock up at least one more proven relief arm before the calendar turns to 2026.