Cubs division rival in shambles after optioning All-Star closer to the minors

The Chicago Cubs have done everything imaginable to avoid a high-dollar, long-term deal with closers under Jed Hoyer. This winter, the team traded for veteran reliever Ryan Pressly in hopes he and young right-hander Porter Hodge can lock down the late innings - a bet that hasn't exactly paid off in the early going.

Hoyer has always maintained that closers - and relievers in general - are an uncertain business and the volatility from year to year makes them poor long-term investments. Although not on a long-term deal, the recent troubles of Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar, who was optioned to the minors on Tuesday, seem to strongly support that narrative.

Bednar, just two years removed from a second consecutive All-Star appearance, got off to a rocky start this year, allowing three earned runs in a trio of outings. That comes on the heel of a horrendous spring (10.13 ERA/1.750 WHIP in nine games) and a disappointing 2024 performance that saw him struggle to a 5.77 ERA in 57 2/3 innings of work.

A bounce-back from Bednar could have been a big boost to a Pirates ballclub looking to return to the postseason for the first time since Jake Arrieta broke their spirits a decade ago in a dominant Wild Card game performance at PNC Park. Instead, manager Derek Shelton will have to search for late-inning answers after opening the year at 1-4.

Bringing it back to the Cubs, though, it does go to show that relievers can go up or down at any given time - and quality depth is key to avoiding those pitfalls derailing entire seasons. Chicago is hoping Pressly can settle in as the ninth-inning answer, but could turn to Hodge if that doesn't go according to plan.

Fans are already losing their minds over the bullpen's struggles so far, but it's too soon to know if this group is going to be a problem or part of the solution. But in the meantime, the Pirates - a team viewed as being young and on the upswing - just took a hit with the Bednar news. In a division that's truly up for grabs, every little bit helps a team like the Cubs, especially when you haven't exactly been the epitome of consistency to this point.