Potential Cubs bullpen target re-ups with the most loathed team in baseball

The Chicago Cubs are in need of legitimate bullpen weapons, even after swinging a trade for Eli Morgan and making a series of smaller pick-ups over the last month. Jed Hoyer isn't likely to pay any reliever top-dollar on a long-term free agent deal, and one potential fit, Blake Treinen, is now off the board, as well.

The veteran right-hander is headed back to Los Angeles, returning to the Dodgers on a two-year, $22 million deal. The contract doesn't come without risk. Treinen is heading into his age-37 season and, while he was dominant during Los Angeles' World Series run, at that age, injuries and diminished stuff become a real concern.

He overcame a significant drop in his fastball velocity in 2024, posting a sub-2.00 ERA after missing almost all of the 2022 and 2023 seasons with a shoulder injury. In the postseason, he was Dave Roberts' go-to-guy, allowing just three earned runs and punching out 18 in 12 1/3 innings of work.

That came on the heels of an absolutely lights-out regular season. Treinen made 50 appearances, posting a sub-1.00 WHIP and averaging just under 11 K/9. Since joining the Dodgers in 2020, the former seventh-round pick owns a 2.29 ERA in 149 2/3 innings of work - and now has a pair of rings to his credit, as well.

The chances of Hoyer doling out in excess of $10 million a year on a reliever in his late 30s were next to none. The only way Treinen was going to be a realistic option for the Cubs was if he had a weak market and lingered late into the winter. Given his dominance and key role on the reigning World Series champions, that obviously wasn't how things played out.

Chicago is rumored to be seeking additional pitching upgrades, even after this weekend's signing of left-hander Matthew Boyd. With Cody Bellinger on the block, there's always a chance pitching is part of the return - which could further shake up a group that finished third in the NL with a 3.78 staff ERA in 2024.