5 relievers that improve the Chicago Cubs bullpen in 2024

Looking over the remaining free agents, it seems plausible the Cubs can still have a great offseason this winter. One area of need that is a surefire bet to improve is the bullpen. Thankfully, a plethora of talent is available between closers and regular relievers in that market. Adbert Alzolay did great as the Cubs closer in 2023, but they will still add someone with more experience to the back of the bullpen. The Cubs do have a good start to something formidable, but odds are this will not be the layout on the Opening Day roster:

• Jordan Wicks (3 options)
• Luke Little (3 options)
• Javier Assad (2 options)
• Jose Cuas (2 options)
• Adbert Alzolay (1 option)
• Drew Smyly (0 options)
• Mark Leiter Jr. (0 options)
• Julian Merryweather (0 options)

Anybody with options will be fighting for a spot on the roster. In theory, you already have eight relievers and five starters for your 13-man pitching staff, but the likelihood of the Cubs not adding a new name is very small. These are five relievers the Cubs must target in free agency.

5 relievers that can help the Cubs in 2024 - 5. David Robertson

Former Cub David Robertson was traded at the 2022 deadline for now Cubs top prospect Ben Brown. A perfect way everything can come full circle is by signing Robertson as a bonified closer for 2024. When Robertson was traded from Chicago, he had a sparkly 2.23 ERA. Since the start of 2022, he owns a combined 2.72 ERA, even with the poor showing in Miami once he was traded this season from the New York Mets.

In the last two seasons, Robertson has had 38 saves and 159 Ks over 129 frames. He is an excellent start to shoring up the bullpen, and the Cubs should have interest here when it comes time to sign a reliever or two.