The Chicago Cubs’ distinct bullpen needs for 2025 are pretty clear. Their pen performed well throughout most of the 2024 campaign but lacked late-inning depth. Especially vulnerable is the closer position which didn’t see any real solution until late in the season. With a stable of young and veteran arms providing solid middle-inning support, the remaining goal is clear for the front office this offseason.
The Cubs’ Biggest Bullpen Need: The Search for a Consistent Closer
The Bullpen’s Solid 2024 Performance
The Cubs bullpen proved to be the club’s most consistent element in 2024. After a poor start, the Northsiders’ pen had the league’s best ERA from May through mid-August, including a 1.86 stretch that began in late June.
Midseason trades and the improvement of younger farm talent helped keep the relief corps steady and even dominant at times. Overall, the Cubs bullpen finished fifth in MLB with a 3.62 ERA.
Early Injuries Highlighted Lack of Depth
The lack of depth at closer began to show itself early in the campaign. The Cubs had hoped their 2023 closer Adbert Alzolay would lead the late-inning arms. But after struggling early, blowing five of nine save opportunities and giving up six home runs, Alzolay went down with an injury.
When Alzolay underwent Tommy John surgery in August to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, the search was on for a solution at closer. Veteran Héctor Neris, 35, converted 17 of 22 saves, but his high walk rate (26 walks in 44 innings pitched) had Cubs manager Craig Counsell on edge. Neris was designated for assignment on August 20, leaving no solution at all at closer.
The young right-hander Porter Hodge, 23, came on in September and converted six of seven saves with an 0.75 WHIP. But the Cubs were out of the postseason and one month does not a closer make.
PORTER HODGE JUST STRUCK OUT THE SIDE IN HIS MLB DEBUT! ?
(?: @WatchMarquee) @Phodgie pic.twitter.com/Xcj3uG6zO4
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) May 23, 2024
Current 40-Man Options Are Limited
Hodge did enough to present as a presumptive favorite to work the last three outs going into 2025. However, the roster needs bonafide depth in the late innings in order for the club to compete for the NL Central Division.
The Cubs’ farm system and veteran staff offer mostly unproven depth and that directed toward the middle innings. 33-year-old Julian Merryweather has had success holding leads but spent most of the 2024 campaign on the IL.
The Cubs got sturdy support from midseason acquisitions Nate Pearson (four holds/0.987 WHIP), Tyson Miller (5-1/2.15 ERA/14 holds/0.815 WHIP) and Jorge López (2.03 ERA/31 strikeouts). Lopez opted for free agency.
Mixed Solutions in the Free Agent Market
The free agent market offers a choice of older proven veterans and those with some experience and lesser late-inning credentials. Ex-Cub stalwart Aroldis Chapman and future Hall of Fame closer Kenley Jansen top the list of potential targets. Both are 37 years old, likely making both their age and their salary north of where the Cubs want to go.
Tanner Scott, 30, tops the list of free agent relievers who have experience closing out games with a 4.5 WAR. Scott has converted 54 of 67 saves since 2022 including 22 of 24 last season. Another potential target might be former New York Yankee Clay Holmes. Holmes, 32, has locked down 74 of 95 save chances since 2022, but most of the damage to that record was done last season when he blew 13 chances in 43 attempts.
Neither of these choices would break the bank should Cubs’ President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer try to land one of them. From there, the free agent closer market drops off considerably.
Likely Offseason Moves for Hoyer
Given the overall needs of the team, Hoyer is likely to explore free agency in search of talent like Scott and Holmes. The mix of credentials, age, and salary range at around $6M seems to work into the organization’s overall game plan.
A trade for closers like Devin Williams or Edwin Uceta, for example, might also be looked at. But Hoyer will be concentrated on starting depth and is more likely to use his formidable positional farm talent in that capacity.
There is also potential for late-inning depth to arise from the current 40-man roster. Wild-throwing Daniel Palencia, 24, is an example of a guy with the kind of dominant velocity that is useful in the late innings. Another 24-year-old, Jack Neely, could potentially offer support there as well. The aforementioned Nate Pearson is another possible choice.
But Counsell is looking for less potential and more proven talent to fill the Cubs’ distinct bullpen needs this offseason.
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