The Chicago Cubs have struck out thus far in their attempts to add to relief pitching this offseason. After a 2024 campaign that saw a bullpen that was the furthest thing from consistent, this is the last thing that fans want to see with pitchers and catchers set to report in less than a month. Porter Hodge was one of the few bright spots for the team last summer and he is set to have a decent sized role in 2025. However, the young right-hander will need some help in the late innings and it’s up to the front office to step in to provide that for him.
The news of the Los Angeles Dodgers signing Kirby Yates on Tuesday takes another late-inning arm off the market. The Dodgers continue to bolster the best roster in baseball and a solid bullpen after they signed Tanner Scott to a four-year deal over the weekend. Chicago will need to turn elsewhere on the market to add depth to their stable in the coming weeks.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who already have folks screaming about their payroll, have reached a tentative agreement with free-agent closer Kirby Yates, pending a physical. The deal comes on the heels of signing Tanner Scott to a 4-year, $72 million contract.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 21, 2025
Kirby Yates fit the Chicago Cubs perfectly
Based on Yates’ track record and recent success, he would have slotted in nicely with the Cubs. The 2024 season was one of the best that the 37-year-old has had in his lengthy MLB career. Yates made his second career all-star game last summer and he finished the year with a 1.17 ERA. He appeared in 61 games and allowed just eight earned runs all season while posting a 7-2 record. His 33 saves last year are worth noting and the Dodgers will surely take advantage of his experience of throwing in high-leverage situations.
The terms have not been officially disclosed yet on Yates’ contract with Los Angeles, but it can’t be more than two or three years. That time frame would have worked out perfectly with what the Cubs are currently building. Those potential terms would have given the front office time to find a closer within the system (likely Hodge) to fully develop for the long haul. Instead, they will need to go back to the drawing board to look at the rest of their options on the market right now.
Their are still a few options available for the Chicago Cubs
Yates wasn’t the last arm on the market that the Cubs could have signed, so they get another shot to chase after legitimate bullpen options. Carlos Estevez is the big fish that Chicago will most likely have to overpay now if they want to bring him aboard.
The 32-year-old spent last season split between being with the Angels and Phillies. He made 54 appearances and tossed 55.0 frames while posting a 4-5 record. The 26 saves from Estevez were the second most in a season in his career, following the 31 that he collected in his 2023 all-star campaign. His stuff would play well at Wrigley Field, and his presence in the Cubs’ bullpen would represent the stability that they desperately need moving forward.
Two other names worth paying attention to that could help Chicago out are David Robertson and Kyle Finnegan. Robertson has spent time with the Cubs before, and Finnegan is coming off a 38 save season in Washington. Finnegan would be a more realistic closing option, but Robertson would still provide excellent depth in the late innings.
With pitchers and catchers reporting for the Chicago Cubs on February 9, time is ticking. Despite the Dodgers seemingly snatching every free agent in sight, the ability for the Cubs front office to make moves is something that needs to be executed. If not, it will be another long season for the bullpen.
This Chicago Cubs top prospect is taking his new role seriously
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