The Chicago Cubs have been expressing their desire to add to their bullpen all offseason long.
They were supposedly in on All-Star free agent relievers Jeff Hoffman and Tanner Scott to help fill their need for the back of their bullpen, but neither ended up coming to the north side of Chicago.
With both being off the board now what will the Cubs plan be to fill the need they still have in their bullpen?
The Chicago Cubs current bullpen
BREAKING: Tanner Scott and the Dodgers have agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 19, 2025
The Cub’s top option in the bullpen for next season as of now is to have the soon-to-be 24-year-old Porter Hodgebe their closer for this season. Hodge became the Cubs closer last season after the Cubs released Héctor Neris. Hodge was solid when asked to step into the closers role collecting 9 saves with a 3-1 record with a 1.88 ERA in 43.0 innings.
Hodge will likely be followed in the pen by Tyson Miller and possibly an emerging option in the pen Nate Pearson. As of now the only lefty options the Cubs have in their 40-man roster for the bullpen are recently signed lefty Caleb Thielbar, Luke Little, and Rob Zastryzny.
The Cubs must ‘pivot’ in the bullpen
The Chicago Cubs were trying very hard to get one of the top free-agent relievers to come to Chicago to boost the back end of their bullpen. The backend of the bullpen was one of the shakier spots on the Cubs roster last season and adding either Scott or Hoffman would’ve been a great addition to have.
The Cubs must now ‘pivot’ to other options with the market for free agent relievers slowly dwindling. The top option left on the board is Carlos Estévez who the Cubs have been linked to. And given their need for another late-inning lefty reliever the 35-year-old former Baltimore Orioles Danny Coulombe is still on the board.
Carlos Estévez
The 32-year-old Estévez would be an excellent option to have in the backend of the bullpen for the Cubs. With having under a 4.00 ERA in each of the past three seasons and having over 50+ K’s in each of the past four seasons. Last season Estévez was outstanding for both the Los Angeles Angels and the Philadelphia Phillies collecting 26 saves and having a 2.45 ERA in 55.0 innings pitched.
Estévez was even better when you look at his Baseball Savant page he ranks in the 86th percentile for walk percentage (5.7%). As well as ranking in the 89th percentile for his fastball velocity at 96.8mph.
Danny Coulombe
The 35-year-old Louis, MO native has been a solid reliever in his decade-long career in the big leagues. Coulombehad another outstanding season for the Orioles last season before going down with left elbow inflammation. Before getting hurt Coulombe pitched in 33 games (29.2 innings) with a 2.12 ERA, with 32 strikeouts. The Orioles ended up letting Coulombe go after declining his $4 million option.
Adding Coulombe could give the Cubs another veteran left-hander to pair with Thielbar who has late-inning experience. The Cubs could probably get Coulombe for cheap on a one-year deal and less than what his option was worth.
The Cubs have to make a move
With spring training right around the corner and most of the premier free agents off the board, the Cubs have to make a move. The Cubs have been making moves of their additions through trades this offseason while doing little on the free agency market but they have to add from there as well. To be successful both must be done.
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell will wear a new number in 2025
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