5 relievers that improve the Chicago Cubs bullpen in 2024

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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.

5 relievers that can help the Cubs in 2024 - 4. Wandy Peralta

Wandy Peralta was somebody I wanted the Cubs to pick up as a rental at the 2023 deadline. The fit was perfect, given the team's need for a left-handed reliever. Unfortunately, it never came to fruition, and the bullpen wore down by the end of the season. Now, Peralta can be had for just money, and he again makes the perfect fit for the Cubs, who should look to add a stud LHP to their bullpen this winter.

This year, 25-year-old Peralta hurled 54 innings of 2.83 ERA ball. Since 2020, he has had a 3.01 ERA and is an excellent addition to the Cubs as a set-up man, at the very least. Adding as many of these late-inning guys to pair with Leiter Jr, Merryweather, and Alzolay will be essential for the Cubs' success in 2024. When the team starts adding, Peralta checks several boxes and should be on the team's list.

5 relievers that can help the Cubs in 2024 - 3. Matt Moore

Matt Moore was a target last winter, but the Cubs ultimately passed for Michael Fulmer. Moore had another fantastic season in 2023, posting a 2.56 ERA over 52.2 innings of work and 60 strikeouts. Moore's numbers and being a southpaw make him another great fit as the Cubs look to beef up their bullpen for next season.

As with Peralta, the Cubs need another stud lefty in the pen for the 2024 campaign. Getting Moore's production can be had and something the Cubs need to pounce on. Too many games were blown in 2023 due to the bullpens collapse or not having the right guy in at the right time. Adding Moore allows Craig Counsell multiple late-inning options when he needs to play lefty/righty matchups. Look for the Cubs to snag someone of this caliber this winter.

5 relievers that can help the Cubs in 2024 - 2. Brent Suter

Brent Suter is fresh off a year in Colorado with the Rockies, in which he posted a 3.38 ERA in 69.1 frames. His FIP of 3.44 suggests he was even better, but what I find to be the most impressive was that he played well in Coors Field. A 3.66 ERA there; Suter's numbers overall are probably a lot lower if he played in almost any other ballpark. We all know how much harder it is for pitchers at Coors Field, so if you can take away those games, you probably have an ERA closer to the low 3.00s, like his away ERA of 3.11 this year.

Since being converted primarily to a reliever in 2019, Suter's numbers have seen him record a combined 3.16 ERA, with the occasional spot starting here and there. He will not be that perfect of a setup man for you in Wrigley, but he's a viable reliever the Cubs can land for relatively cheap on a one-year deal. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs add someone such as Suter on top of another true closer this winter.

5 relievers that can help the Cubs in 2024 - 1. Josh Hader

If the Cubs want to go big, they can bring in Josh Hader. With long-time ties to manager Craig Counsell, Hader is at an elite level in closing games and has been for a long time. The relationship with the manager is there, and the ability to slam the door and the much-needed southpaw in the bullpen are all checkmarks that the Cubs need to target this winter. Hader is the total package for Jed Hoyer, but he won't come cheap.

Hader will more than likely land a deal that sees him become the highest-paid reliever in the game. Of course, the Dodgers are reported to have a lot of interest as well, so how much Hoyer puts his foot on the gas in getting the best closer in baseball remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the Cubs have bigger fish to fry in terms of free agency, but when the time comes to add relief to the bullpen, Hader is someone who can get the job done and is a perfect fit in Chicago.

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