To compete in 2026, Cubs will need to rebuild bullpen once again

The Cubs will once again enter the off-season looking to rebuild their bullpen, as a unit that was built around bounceback candidates and unexpected contributors will largely start from scratch before next year’s Opening Day.

On Tuesday, the club announced it had traded Andrew Kittredge to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations. That move, along with the impending free agency of Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar, could mean that the Cubs are entering a winter in which they will have to replace almost every key contributor to the bullpen.

Of those who worked high-leverage innings down the stretch, only Daniel Palencia is under team control in 2026. That group was key to Chicago’s success and those arms were all heavily leaned on during its run to the National League Division Series, which ended in a loss to the division-winning Milwaukee Brewers in five games.

So how will the Cubs go about trying to piece together a bullpen in a season they’re expected to once again be in contention for the postseason? Expect more of the same this winter.

Spend big? Don’t count on it

There are some pretty big names hitting free agency in the relief pitcher department, including Edwin Díaz, Robert Suárez and Devin Williams. The Cubs had shown interest in Suárez when his name was bandied about in trade rumors and Williams has an obvious Milwaukee connection to manager Craig Counsell

But as is usually the case with closers, the cost is going to be high on all three. Even with Williams, who is coming off a season during which he posted a 4.79 ERA, his track record and strong peripherals mean someone likely gives him a decent payday.

For those who remember last winter, the Cubs surprised many by aggressively pursuing left-handed reliever Tanner Scott. The left-hander ultimately went to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a four-year, $72-million deal and had a disappointing season. But the Cubs did go after him and made an offer that seemed incongruent with their past thoughts on multiyear deals for relievers.

But league sources told The Athletic not to expect the Cubs to jump in on big-name free-agent relievers, at least not early on. The Cubs are not going to be setting the market on relievers. Perhaps someone could fall through the cracks and be available in January or February at a deal that could provide potential surplus value. In that case, the Cubs may pounce; otherwise, reeling in big fish in the reliever department in free agency just isn’t in the cards for this front office. A trade for an established reliever on an expiring deal — like Ryan Pressly last winter — shouldn’t be ruled out, though.

Relying on players now in the organization

Team president Jed Hoyer has dreamed about a homegrown bullpen, though it’s easier said than done, of course. After his 2024 season, Porter Hodge looked like an emerging relief stud, then this summer he struggled to find any consistency. Such is the life of a reliever.

Palencia was the breakout youngster in 2025. But Hodge’s struggles are a reminder that nothing is guaranteed for 2026. There is youth in this organization. Jack Neely and Luke Little are on the 40-man roster, and despite their struggles in 2025, perhaps they could find their best selves and have a Palencia-like breakout. Does Riley Martin earn a 40-man nod after a solid season at Triple-A? He’s a lefty with talent who has yet to reach the highest level.

Ben Brown will continue to develop as a starter, but the Cubs believe he could help the team in the bullpen at some point if that doesn’t work out. Eli Morgan struggled early on and then got hurt, so he may have been forgotten by some. But he could be a veteran presence who bounces back in 2026 and helps the team down the road.

Hodge was hardly on the radar entering 2024, so perhaps there are other youngsters who aren’t mentioned in this space who could emerge over the spring or summer.

Rely on low-cost alternatives and bounceback candidates

This method led to quality results in 2021 and 2022 when the Cubs were selling at the deadline and had teams calling for relief help. It had mixed results the next two seasons, especially when it came to building out the depth. Still, there were hits such as Mark Leiter Jr., Tyson Miller and Julian Merryweather.

Keller, Pomeranz and Thielbar were hardly seen as locks to produce at a high level this season and each was instrumental for the Cubs this past summer. The Cubs will once again scour free agency and the waiver wire, searching for pitchers they believe they can turn into the next underrated addition to their bullpen.

Whether it’s veterans coming off a rough season whom they think they can help find their best selves, a starter willing to convert to relief or a former top reliever returning from injury, all options are valid. It’s not completely appealing and it won’t excite fans when these arms are added, but it’s how good bullpens are often built.

There will be a search for some certainty — like when the Cubs tried with Pressly — and the front office could spend a chunk of change on a reliever willing to sign for a year or two. But expect the vast majority of the bullpen to be comprised of NRIs, cheap veterans and pitchers with little name recognition.

Bullpens are always risky. Rarely can a team feel supremely confident it has built a great group, and throwing money at the problem doesn’t always solve it. The Cubs don’t do that with any area of their team and they certainly won’t with their relievers.

This group has been stripped down to the studs. It’s an issue that needs solving every winter. This one will be no different.

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