The Cubs look headed toward another winter of bargain hunting in the bullpen, and that makes Bryan Abreu the kind of name that fits the way Jed Hoyer usually operates.
Chicago has already re-worked Jacob Webb’s deal to keep him around, with hope that Daniel Palencia can handle a full season in 2027. Ryan Zeferjahn came over at the deadline with the idea that he could grow into a shutdown late-inning arm, and Shelby Miller could be back too.
There are bodies there. There are also reasons not to trust the group as-is after a season that included 28 blown saves and a 55 percent save rate.
That’s where Abreu comes in.
The longtime Astros reliever is coming off a rough 2026, and it all started with a miserable, brief stint as closer while Josh Hader was out early in the year. Abreu gave up 13 earned runs in his first 11 appearances, lost the job fast and spent the rest of the season trying to get back on track.
The full stat line wasn’t pretty: a 3.73 ERA, 4.62 FIP, 1.356 WHIP and 5.9 BB/9 across 66 appearances. But there was still some real appeal underneath the numbers. He struck out more than 11 batters per nine, and from May on, he settled in with an ERA in the low-2.00s while continuing to rack up punchouts.
That’s why he stands out as a possible buy-low target for Chicago. MLB Trade Rumors projects him at two years and $22 million, while Spotrac has him at three years and $32 million. Either price would be a meaningful commitment for a bullpen arm in Hoyer’s world, but if Abreu’s market comes in softer than expected, the Cubs could absolutely be part of the conversation.
He’s only 29, and he still brings the kind of swing-and-miss stuff Chicago has been short on for years. If Hoyer is serious about adding another arm, Abreu checks a box the Cubs can’t keep ignoring.
In Other News...
Jed Hoyer Is Sending Cubs Fans A Familiar Offseason Warning
The Cubs offseason is already taking shape with a familiar kind of restraint. Rather than diving into the top of the pitching market, the front office is being linked to a quieter plan that reflects both budget realities and the uncertainty hanging over the sport. Tarik Skubal would be the kind of arm that changes a rotation, but Chicago appears prepared to watch from the sidelines while bigger-spending clubs like the Dodgers and Mets set the pace.
Instead, the focus seems to be on more manageable moves, including trying to bring back pitchers such as Clay Holmes and David Peterson while exploring whether Adrian Morejon could be stretched into a starting role. The broader message from the GM Meetings was less about urgency than caution, a sign the Cubs may be waiting to see how the market and the labor situation develop before making their biggest decisions. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs May Be Losing A Dream Pitching Target At The Worst Time
The next MLB offseason already has the feel of something unusual, with collective bargaining talks looming and a likely owner-implemented lockout set to begin Dec. 2. If that happens, the usual winter rhythm could get thrown off, which is why the General Managers Meetings in November may end up carrying more weight than usual for clubs trying to get business done before the calendar gets turned upside down.
For the Cubs, that matters because one of the biggest pitching names on the market may be slipping out of reach. Tarik Skubal had been viewed as a potential dream target, but reports now indicate Chicago is not expected to be among the major bidders, a notable shift for a team that could have used a front-line arm if the market opened the way many expected. With the offseason already looking volatile, the Cubs may have to watch a premium opportunity move elsewhere before the real bidding even fully begins. [Read more 🡒]
Ben Brown Uncertainty Just Raised The Stakes For Cubs Free Agency
The Cubs already had a rotation puzzle on their hands entering the offseason, with multiple free agents to sort through and injury concerns lingering around the staff. Ben Brown only adds to the uncertainty. The right-hander has not resumed throwing after a recurring neck injury, and the possibility of surgery has put another layer of doubt over how Chicago approaches its pitching plans.
For a team trying to rebuild the rotation, Browns status matters because it changes the level of risk the front office has to manage. Chicago cannot afford to treat the staff as a finished project, and the latest update only reinforces the need for aggressive moves as the Cubs weigh how much help they need and how quickly they need it. [Read more 🡒]