The Cubs aren’t done building their bullpen - not by a long shot.
With several of the top-tier relievers already off the market, including Edwin Díaz, Devin Williams, and Ryan Helsley, the options are narrowing. Díaz in particular - long considered the crown jewel of this year’s free agent class - is now locked into a three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers. But even with some big names gone, there’s still talent available, and the Cubs are clearly in the mix to add another high-leverage arm.
Chicago got out in front of the market early by signing veteran right-hander Phil Maton to a two-year deal, marking the first multi-year contract the club has handed out to a free agent reliever since Craig Kimbrel’s midseason addition back in 2019. That move signaled a shift in how the front office, led by Jed Hoyer, is approaching bullpen construction.
Hoyer spoke candidly at the Winter Meetings this week, making it clear the Cubs aren’t done shopping for bullpen help. While he didn’t commit to anything specific - and smartly left room for flexibility based on market dynamics - his comments made it clear: the Cubs are very much in the conversation for another multi-year bullpen signing.
“Whether we end up signing someone or not, I don’t know,” Hoyer said. “Depends on how other teams value them, honestly. But we can definitely be in that market, and we’re obviously going to sign more relievers.”
That’s not just GM-speak. It’s a reflection of a front office that’s learned from recent seasons. After years of patching together bullpens with low-cost veterans, minor league fliers, and internal prospects, the Cubs appear ready to invest more seriously in stability and experience.
Manager Craig Counsell echoed that sentiment, reflecting on the 2025 bullpen’s rocky start.
“What we thought about the bullpen going into the season - we were wrong. We were pretty wrong on it,” Counsell admitted. “We ended up pitching pretty well, but at the start of the season, it wasn’t the guys we expected to do it.”
That kind of honest assessment underscores why the Cubs are looking to get out ahead of the uncertainty this time around. The goal? Build a bullpen that’s ready to go from Day 1 - not one that needs to be reshuffled by mid-May.
With that in mind, here are three free agent relievers who remain on the board and could be strong fits for the Cubs:
1. Robert Suarez (Age 34, turns 35 in 2026)
2025 Stats:
2.97 ERA | 0.90 WHIP | 69.2 IP | 70 games | 40 saves
27.9% K | 5.9% BB | 9.1% barrel rate | 0.78 HR/9
Contract Projections:
- MLBTR: 3 years, $48M
- ESPN: 2 years, $25M
- FanGraphs: 3 years, $48M
- The Athletic: 3 years, $54M
Suarez is no stranger to Cubs rumors. Chicago reportedly had interest in acquiring him via trade from the Padres last offseason.
Now that he’s a free agent, the fit is even more intriguing. Suarez has the kind of profile that plays in high-leverage - mid-90s fastball, command under pressure, and a proven ability to close games.
With 40 saves in 2025 and elite control numbers, he’s the type of arm that could immediately step into a late-inning role. The price tag will be steep, but the Cubs have shown a willingness to spend when the value is right.
2. Brad Keller (Age 30, turns 31 in July)
2025 Stats:
2.07 ERA | 0.96 WHIP | 69.2 IP | 68 games | 3 saves
27.2% K | 8.0% BB | 5.8% barrel rate | 0.52 HR/9
Contract Projections:
- MLBTR: 3 years, $36M
- ESPN: 2 years, $22M
- FanGraphs: 2 years, $24M
- The Athletic: 3 years, $30M
Keller might be the most interesting case on the board. Signed by the Cubs last offseason on a minor league deal, he turned in a resurgent season in relief - and now he’s poised to cash in.
His numbers were outstanding across the board, especially in limiting hard contact and keeping the ball in the park. The complication?
Some teams are reportedly eyeing him as a potential starter again, which could drive up his price and pull him out of Chicago’s comfort zone. But if the Cubs can keep him in a bullpen role, a reunion makes a ton of sense.
3. Pete Fairbanks (Age 31, turns 32 on Dec. 16)
2025 Stats:
2.83 ERA | 1.04 WHIP | 60.1 IP | 61 games | 27 saves
24.2% K | 7.4% BB | 4.8% barrel rate | 1.04 HR/9
Contract Projection:
- MLBTR: 2 years, $18M
Fairbanks has been a name linked to the Cubs since the trade deadline, and he continues to surface in offseason chatter. The former Rays closer brings experience, swing-and-miss stuff, and a track record of handling pressure situations.
He’s not as overpowering as some of the other arms on the market, but he’s reliable, durable, and likely falls into a price range the Cubs are comfortable with. If the front office wants a proven late-inning option without breaking the bank, Fairbanks is a logical target.
Bottom Line
The Cubs are in a position where they can - and should - be aggressive in finishing out their bullpen. With Maton already in the fold and a clear organizational pivot toward more established relief talent, another multi-year signing feels more like a matter of when, not if.
Whether it’s Suarez’s closing experience, Keller’s breakout resurgence, or Fairbanks’ steady hand, the Cubs have options. And after a few years of bullpen instability, they seem ready to pay for peace of mind.