Cubs News: Team gets rare fourth option year on right-hander Caleb Kilian

Given the number of bullpen additions the Chicago Cubs have brought in without options remaining, Thursday's news that they have a fourth option year on right-hander Caleb Kilian is a huge win for both the front office and manager Craig Counsell.

First, let's get a recap on what option seasons are from MLB Trade Rumors:

Typically, players have three option seasons with one used each season during which the player spends at least 20 days on optional assignment in the minor leagues. A player is considered to be on optional assignment when on a club’s 40-man roster but sent to the minor leagues while not on a rehab assignment.

Kilian was placed on the 40-man and made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2022; the 2024 season was his third year, which would typically mean Chicago would have to place him on waivers this year if they wanted to option him to Iowa. Given his status as a former top prospect and the price of pitching, it seems unlikely he'd pass unclaimed - which could end his time with the Cubs.

In some instances, teams get this fourth option year - and it's usually due to the player having missed significant time due to injury. That's the case with Kilian, who was limited in 2024 and also has fewer than five professional seasons under his belt, another factor at play when determining who can be eligible for a fourth option year.

Kilian has never lived up to the hype that surrounded him when the Cubs acquired him, along with Alexander Canario, at the 2021 trade deadline. He's pitched just 27 1/3 innings at the big-league level, despite the fact he's heading into his age-28 season and the results haven't been great.

The righty boasts a WHIP north of 2.000, a -1.1 bWAR and a 9.20 ERA. Control issues (6.6 BB/9) continue to plague him at every turn and whether or not he can rein them in will likely determine what his future looks like. It very much feels like the 2025 season will dictate whether he sticks with the Cubs past this year as he has much to prove if he's to convince the organization he's a viable big-league option.

For the time being, though, the added roster flexibility as Counsell sorts through his bullpen options this spring is a huge plus for Chicago.