The Cubs are shaping up to be one of the more intriguing teams to watch this offseason, and bullpen help looks like a clear place to start.
After getting swept by the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card Series, Chicago could be aggressive in free agency as it tries to position itself as a true contender in 2027. The roster still has several important pieces in place, but the ninth inning stands out as a problem area that needs attention.
That’s why the Cubs are now being tied to one of the top relief arms on the market. In a recent Bleacher Report piece, Kerry Miller named Chicago as the top potential landing spot for free agent closer Raisel Iglesias.
“Because despite the aforementioned free agents, the Cubs are still very much in a championship window. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alex Bregman, Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner and Michael Busch aren’t going anywhere any time soon.
Justin Steele should(?) be back for Opening Day, with Cade Horton joining him at some point mid-season.
Maybe Edward Cabrera bounces back in a big way, too, while Ben Brown picks up where he left off before his neck injury. Something needs to be done about the ninth inning, though, and Iglesias should be the answer,” Miller wrote.
The fit is easy to see. Iglesias would give the Cubs a proven option to stabilize the back end of the bullpen, and Chicago has every reason to chase that kind of upgrade if it wants to keep pushing toward contention.
The 12-year MLB veteran just finished a strong season with the Atlanta Braves, where he went 1-2 with a 2.55 ERA, 34 saves and 64 strikeouts in 59 games as an All-Star. He’s also posted a 3.21 ERA or better in each of his last seven MLB seasons, which makes him a steady bet for a team looking for reliability in high-leverage innings.
If the Cubs are looking for a short-term answer in the bullpen, Iglesias could be exactly the kind of move that makes sense.
In Other News...
Ian Happ Is Becoming A Cubs Contract Debate They May Avoid
Ian Happ has become one of those familiar Cubs decisions that looks straightforward from a distance and far messier once the conversation gets serious. He has given the club steady production and strong defense for years, and his track record suggests he will have a market that reflects that reliability when the time comes. For a team still trying to balance its future, though, the question is not whether Happ has value. It is whether that value lines up with where the Cubs want to put their money next.
Chicagos priorities point elsewhere, especially toward pitching and the need to keep Seiya Suzuki in the fold. Happ is the kind of player a contender would usually want to keep around, but the Cubs may not be in position to chase a deal that could land near or above his last one. If the organization continues leaning into roster flexibility and younger, cheaper alternatives, the most likely outcome is that Happs next chapter comes somewhere other than Wrigley Field. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Could Be Eyeing A Big Bat For A Complicated Fit
The Red Sox have reportedly checked in on Seiya Suzuki, a name that still carries real weight after his career-best season in 2026. For Boston, the appeal is obvious: hes a proven slugger who could deepen a lineup that is already trying to sort out its long-term shape, especially with the possibility of moving Jarren Duran if the front office decides a bigger shakeup is needed.
Suzukis price tag is expected to be hefty, with his market value projected at more than $109 million over four years, and that naturally brings the conversation back to fit as much as talent. His age adds another layer to the equation, leaving the Red Sox to weigh whether the bat is worth the commitment and how aggressive they want to be if they decide to pursue him further. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Could Give The Brewers A Pitching Problem They'd Hate
Dustin May is back on the market, and the Cubs are among the teams keeping an eye on the right-hander as free agency unfolds. Chicago is joined by the White Sox, Padres and Astros in showing interest, a sign that clubs are still willing to bet on the upside of a pitcher whose career has been shaped as much by talent as by injuries.
For the Cubs, the appeal is easy to see. May has logged a career 4.12 ERA, but he has also stayed healthy over the last two seasons, which matters for a market that is always hunting for arms with room to rebound. His past time with the Brewers and Cardinals only adds a little extra intrigue for a division race that could be affected by where he lands, even if the final decision is still up in the air. [Read more 🡒]