Cubs Rumors: Jed Hoyer 'aiming even higher' after adding Phil Maton to the bullpen

After signing a relief pitcher to a multi-year deal for the first time since 2019, I honestly assumed that, from here, Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs would revert back to their usual plan of attack: picking up castoffs and misfits to build a plethora of bullpen depth that would sort itself out over the course of the year.

But according to Bleacher Nation's Michael Cerami, that may not be the case. According to his report, the Cubs are 'aiming even higher' than Phil Maton and 'remain engaged in the impact free-agent relief market'. Now that doesn't mean Hoyer is pushing his chips in on Edwin Diaz or Robert Suarez, but Cerami specifically calls out the potential for a reunion between Craig Counsell and Devin Williams or a possible Brad Keller return after his breakout 2025 showing.

Those aren't the only names he mentions, also pointing out Pete Fairbanks and Ryan Helsley as other late-inning weapons of the same caliber that could be prospective fits. Following up the Maton signing (the report says nothing appears to be close) with another high-caliber bullpen piece would be a dramatic (and welcomed) departure from business as usual in Wrigleyville.

Cubs are focusing heavily on their bullpen, still thinking big names

We've talked about it quite a bit already. This is a bullpen that's basically being rebuilt from the ground up, with Daniel Palencia the main piece returning. Keller, Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar are all free agents - and that trio was a real difference-maker for Chicago this year. They'll need to rebuild the bridge from the rotation to the late innings, either by stockpiling middle relievers and/or shortening the game by adding a lockdown closer.

Given how impressive the Cubs were defensively, focusing on the pitching staff and run prevention seems to be the plan when it comes to offsetting the loss of Kyle Tucker. A true door-slammer in the ninth would allow Palencia and Maton to handle the seventh and eighth and if Hoyer can continue finding success with his reclamation projects, teams could come to fear the late-inning situations when they're lined up against Counsell's club in 2026.