Longtime Astros reliever who struggled in 2026 looks like a perfect Jed Hoyer target

All signs point to the Chicago Cubs avoiding the very top of the relief market, perhaps relying on Jed Hoyer's usual approach to shoring up a bullpen: taking low-cost flyers on reclamation projects, aging veterans and change-of-scenery candidates.

The team already re-worked Jacob Webb's deal to keep him in the fold and the hope is that Daniel Palencia can give them a full season in 2027. Ryan Zeferjahn was acquired at the deadline in hopes that he could establish himself as a shutdown late-inning weapon and we could see Shelby Miller back, as well.

There are pieces there, sure, but I think I safely speak for most Cubs fans when I say I wouldn't mind another quality arm or two in the mix. I'm not saying Chicago has to go set the reliever market and sign Adrian Morejon (although I think they should), but simply running back a group that blew 28 saves and carried a 55 percent save rate would be a questionable decision.

Bryan Abreu could be the perfect Cubs' buy-low candidate in free agency

Looking further down this winter's list of free agents, you find longtime Houston Astros setup man Bryan Abreu, whose stock took a big hit this year thanks to a disastrous, short-lived run as closer while Josh Hader was sidelined early in the season. He allowed 13 earned runs in his first 11 appearances, quickly lost the job and worked all year to get the train back on the tracks.

His overall numbers weren't anything to write home about: a 3.73 ERA, 4.62 FIP, 1.356 WHIP and 5.9 BB/9 in 66 appearances. There were some bright spots, though. He punched out more than 11 batters per nine and from May on, he posted an ERA in the low-2.00s while piling up strikeouts.

So what will his free agent market look like? MLB Trade Rumors pegs him for a two-year, $22 million deal, while Spotrac has him for three years, $32 million. Either of those figures would be considered pretty high spending for a bullpen arm for Hoyer, but if his market is soft, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cubs in the mix.

Abreu is just 29 and has proven he can be the swing-and-miss arm Chicago has lacked for years. Hoyer can ill-afford to turn the page on anyone who checks that box, even if his focus is replacing his corner outfielders and building out a starting rotation.

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