The Chicago Cubs have been busy this offseason, and it's hard not to appreciate their efforts. With nearly $30 million spent revamping their bullpen, a trade for promising starter Edward Cabrera, and the headline signing of Alex Bregman, the Cubs are positioning themselves as serious contenders in the National League. Yet, there's a lingering thought that perhaps one more move could have solidified their roster even further.
During their bullpen overhaul, the Cubs were clearly on the hunt for a seasoned closer. They showed interest in Ryan Helsley, and Devin Williams was on their radar until his price soared. They were also linked to Pete Fairbanks, the former Tampa Bay Rays closer.
The Cubs seemed eager to steer clear of the matchup strategy that characterized their late-game approach at the end of the 2025 season. Despite this, Daniel Palencia is set to be the Opening Day closer.
Palencia has potential, no doubt. Last season, he posted a solid 2.91 ERA and struck out over 28% of batters he faced, suggesting he could be a breakout star in the closer role.
However, his performance in the latter half of 2025 raises some eyebrows. With an ERA of 5.23 in August and a concerning 12.27 in September, it's understandable why the Cubs considered bringing in an established closer.
Despite these struggles, Palencia regained his form as Craig Counsell's go-to reliever during the postseason, which likely influenced the Cubs' decision to give him another shot.
Knowing how Jed Hoyer operates, especially with lessons from the Theo Epstein era, the Cubs won't hesitate to make a move if Palencia shows any signs of inconsistency. If the Cubs are in contention by July, and Palencia falters, expect them to be active in the trade market for a reliable closer. The potential cost of such a move might make them wish they had secured someone like Williams or Helsley during the winter.