Cubs bullpen is stronger and deeper than 2024 |
The Cubs and Astros have linked up again for an offseason trade. This time, the Cubs have acquired reliever Ryan Pressley from the Astros and cash in exchange for single-a pitching prospect Juan Bello. This, on the heels of the Cubs acquiring Kyle Tucker from Houston, a blockbuster trade that sent Isaac Paredes, Cam Smith, and Hayden Wesneski to the Lonestar state.
Pressly joins the Cubs after waiving his no-trade clause, a decision he did not take lightly. Pressly, 36, is eager to join the Cubs and Porter Hodge to form a formidable duo at the backend of the Cubs bullpen. Pressly was bumped out of his closer role in 2024 due to the Astros paying top dollar for Josh Hader, but from 2021-2023, he compiled 90 saves and struck out almost 40 more batters than innings he pitched. While there is some concern that an aging pitcher entering his 13th season's production can remain strong, the move shows a desire for Jed Hoyer and the Cubs to address the bullpen and emphasize high leverage—a phase of the game in which Pressly has excelled. For a team that blew close to 30 saves in 2024, the Cubs aiming to shore up the bullpen does not come as a surprise. This is also why it should come as no surprise that the Cubs are reportedly not done “shopping.” The Cubs are doing their due diligence with relievers like David Robertson, Kenley Jansen, Andrew Chafin, and Kyle Finnegan. But Hoyer has not been quiet thus far either. From inking former Cub Brandon Hughes to signing reclamation projects like Brad Keller and AJ Puckett, Hoyer, and the Cubs have been highly active in the market for relievers, adding to an already busy offseason that includes the trades for Eli Morgan and Cody Poteet as well as signing Matthew Boyd, Colin Rea, Gavin Hollowell, Caleb Thielbar and Rob Zastryzny (who has recently been DFA’d). The latest? Trading for Ryan Brasier, who was DFA’d by the Los Angeles Dodgers this week. Brasier pitched to a 3.54 ERA in 2024 and had a stellar 0.70 ERA in 2023. The 37-year-old right-hander seems poised to join a high-leverage group that includes Tyson Miller, Porter Hodge, and Ryan Pressly.
What has historically been a weakness for the Cubs, especially recently, has turned into a strength: pitching depth. The Cubs have an overflow of capable starters, leading to more reliable arms out of the bullpen. The Cubs’ 40-man roster features 24 pitchers, 16 of whom pitched for the Cubs last season.
There is undoubtedly more movement to come. With the Cubs engaged in conversations with the aforementioned free agents and trade talks for front-end starters — the 40-man roster’s 24 pitchers are bound to change before the Cubs open 2025 in Tokyo against the Dodgers. Injuries will undoubtedly arise and create additional opportunities for these pitchers to make their way to the majors.
However, with the roster currently assembled, plenty of questions remain regarding the pitching staff.
Some of which being:
Who slots behind Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon in the Cubs’ starting rotation? Will it be Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea? Is it going to be Ben Brown and Javier Assad? What about Jordan Wicks?
If Ben Brown is ready to pitch by opening day, will he start the season in the rotation or in the bullpen?
If Jordan Wicks is not named to the initial starting rotation, will the Cubs use him out of the bullpen or keep him stretched out in the minors?
Will Luke Little emerge as the lefty specialist the Cubs have lacked in their bullpen?
When do Cade Horton and Brandon Birdsell factor into this equation this season, if at all?
And more.
While the Cubs don’t appear to be done constructing their pitching staff for 2025 — Hoyer and Co. already seem to have built a stronger and deeper bullpen than they had in 2024. That may not be saying much, but at least there has been an active, noticeable effort to address the issue, something that bodes well if the Cubs plan on winning the NL Central in Craig Counsell’s second season at the helm.
