3 Cubs players who could see large role in 2025, and 2 who should not

3. Jorge Lopez

Jed Hoyer may not prioritize bullpen additions during the offseason but if there is one thing he has proven to be excellent at, it's finding reclamation projects in-season and the teams' pitching infrastructure being the reason the relief pitcher finds success.

Jorge López is the latest example of that. Since signing a minor-league deal with the Cubs earlier this season, López has posted a 2.19 ERA in 22 appearances. Given the success that López had had this season, he is in a position to be in a Major League bullpen at the start of the 2025 season.

Given how the Hector Neris experiment turned out, it seems unlikely that Hoyer will spend on a veteran reliever this winter. López should be inexpensive, and given his success with the Cubs this season, there is likely interest in returning to the North Side next season.

2025 prediction: López should be re-signed by the Cubs and his role in the bullpen should be expanded to being one of the primary high-leverage relief pitchers.