Cubs make Jacob Webb contract decision that gives 2027 bullpen a head start

Jacob Webb had a $2.5 million option for the 2027 season, and it felt like a formality that the Chicago Cubs were going to pick it up. Webb had an up-and-down finish to the 2026 season, but the larger sample size suggested he was capable of being an effective option in the bullpen. Webb is returning to the bullpen, but through a new contract.

FanSided's Robert Murray reports that the Cubs and Webb have agreed on a one-year deal for the 2027 worth $2 million. Webb's new contract includes a $4 million club option for the 2028 season, and a $500,000 buyout. In other words, the Cubs essentially saved $500,000 upfront. Penny-pinching, sure, but if Webb was willing, it's worth doing.

With Daniel Palencia dealing with injuries throughout this past year, Webb emerged as the de-facto closer for the Cubs during the summer. He posted a 3.36 ERA across 68 appearances with nine saves. Webb had three consecutive blown saves at the end of August and into September that took the shine off his 2026 season, but also was a reminder of what the Cubs didn't have.

Between Palencia's injuries and how Jed Hoyer pieced together the bullpen last year, the Cubs were lacking established high-leverage options. His larger experiments backfired as Phil Maton was dealing with a knee injury throughout the entire season and was ineffective when he was on the mound. Hunter Harvey, meanwhile, only made four appearances with the Cubs.

That forced Craig Counsell to pitch Webb outside of the middle relief role he's mainly operated in throughout his career. While there was some initial success, by the end of the season, it was clear that Webb is probably best served working the middle innings of a game.

Jacob Webb's return is a reminder the Cubs have bullpen stability in 2027

Last offseason, Hoyer had to start from scratch when constructing the Cubs' bullpen. That shouldn't be the case this time around. In fact, the Cubs have a bulk of their bullpen in place with Palencia, Ryan Zeferjahn, and Ryan Rolison also under control in 2027. There's also an expectation that Maton should be healthy (and better?) next year.

Not to mention, while Shelby Miller was shut down before he could pitch for the Cubs in 2026, he's entering the offseason healthy and ready to assume a role in the bullpen once the season starts.

The Cubs would still be wise to add another high-leverage option to the mix, just to ensure that no one is pitching out of their depth, like Webb may have been doing by the end of last season.

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