The Chicago Cubs, who’ve touted their status as “all in” when it comes to targeting post-season play this season, are not done adding pieces.
There continue to be rumors regarding the pursuit of a high-end starting pitcher. Buzz has recently emerged about the team being “in the mix” for Jack Flaherty. At various points of the season, there’s also been buzz regarding the Cubs and Luis Castillo, Dylan Cease, and Pablo Lopez. And, of course, the team still has its line cast for the big fish, Japan’s Roki Sasaki.
There’s also been plenty of talk about relievers, as several names have popped up as potential targets.
The Chicago Cubs Pitching Story So Far
So far, however, rotation additions have been limited to rehabbed Cleveland Guardian lefty Matthew Boyd. The bullpen, meanwhile, has seen Eli Morgan and Cody Poteet come via trade and Caleb Thielbar come via one-year free agent deal.
Signing Kirby Yates?
Michael Cerami of Bleacher Nation feels that Texas Rangers closer Kirby Yates is the best bet to be Chicago-bound from the list of still-available free agent top relievers (Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman, Carlos Estevez, Kirby Yates)
Per Cerami:
“Of that group, the Cubs have been connected to only Kirby Yates, who’d make an excellent addition. Though Scott is probably the real prize. And because of that, according to Jon Morosi, he’ll likely be the first domino to fall (raising the bar for the other relievers). Morosi names the Dodgers and Braves as fits, for the latter, citing Braves beat writer David O’Brien
I’d love the Cubs to go after Tanner Scott, especially considering how crucial this season has become (the only season the Cubs control Kyle Tucker). But I just don’t see it happening. Tanner Scott is going to get one of those four-year, $60+M deals the Cubs front office just seems to straight up refuse to give out to relievers. Someone like Yates, who’ll make good money, but on just a one or two-year deal, is a much more likely outcome.”
All of this is assuming, of course, that the Cubs are even looking for a closer. The 23-year-old Porter Hodge looked dominant at times last season, striking out 52 in 39 innings and posting a 1.88 ERA, with 9 saves. However, he DID have 3 blown saves and he IS really young to hold such a key spot on a team with playoff aspirations. A one-year apprenticeship under a veteran closer could be advisable.
Yates will be 38 by opening day and, even under the best of circumstances, doesn’t have a lot of innings left in the arm that was rebuilt via the Tommy John surgery he had in 2021. That’s why any team having Yates will probably insist on a one-year deal– especially the budget and contract-minded Cubs.
The Price For Yates
MLB Trade Rumors estimates that Yates will command a one-year deal worth $14 million, coming off a stellar 2024 where he posted 33 saves and 1.17 ERA in 61.2 innings.
Admittedly, the price would seem too steep for the Cubs, who generally nickle-and-dime their way around relief arms. They’ve also been burnt by deals with relievers, notably last season’s $9 million bust, Hector Neris.
But all free agent dealings are a gamble by nature. And if the Cubs truly are “all in” when it comes to winning big this year, a risk involving a reliable, experienced closer may be a necessary gamble.
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