Cubs' early offseason buzz includes unexpected twist with former foe

The Chicago Cubs' bullpen in 2026 will likely look quite different from what it was at the end of the 2025 season. Part of that is because most of the Cubs' high-leverage relief options from their playoff run are free agents, but the other reality is that the Brewers exposed one thing the Cubs don't have: power pitching.

Taking a look at the early construction of the Cubs' 2026 bullpen, Daniel Palencia is the only power pitcher they have to offer in the bullpen. As the Cubs once again ask themselves how they can get ahead of the Brewers in the National League Central, adding a power pitcher to their bullpen figures to be an ideal place to start.

This familiar Cubs rival could become an unlikely offseason addition

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter is getting an early start on his offseason content, circling the free agent who addresses the need for each team. For the Cubs, he has their bullpen as their biggest need, and makes the connection to former St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.

With an average fastball velocity topping out over 99 mph, Helsley certainly would be the experienced power pitcher the Cubs have lacked in their bullpen for several seasons. That said, there is a fear that the Cubs would be repeating a mistake they made the last two years.

Helsley was traded by the Cardinals to the New York Mets at the deadline, and his time in New York was a disaster. Helsley posted an ERA of 7.20 during his final 22 appearances of the season, and his strikeout rate dipped to 23.2% with the Mets. With the Cardinals before the trade, Helsley had a 3.00 ERA in 36 appearances while striking out over 26% of the hitters he faced.

As was the case with Ryan Pressly and Hector Neris before him, the end of Helsley's most recent season has red flags that the Cubs may want to take note of. The Cubs ignored the red flags with Neris and Pressly, and each veteran reliever was released by the team before the end of their respective seasons in Chicago. Not to mention, Helsley almost certainly will be looking to set the market for relief pitchers this offseason. The Cubs almost always stay away from those types of targets.