The Cubs’ bullpen makeover continues - and this time, it's Hunter Harvey stepping into the mix on a one-year, $6 million deal that’s turning some heads. It’s not just the money that’s interesting - although that AAV ranks second among the Cubs’ free-agent reliever signings this offseason - it’s the context.
Harvey threw just 10.2 innings in 2025 with the Royals due to injury, yet still drew a competitive market. That says something about how teams view his upside when healthy.
And clearly, the Cubs see something worth betting on.
Harvey’s career numbers back up that optimism. He’s posted a 3.11 ERA across 185 MLB innings, showing flashes of late-inning reliability and strike-throwing when he’s on the mound.
The 2026 season will mark his age-31 campaign and his fourth stop in the big leagues, following stints with the Orioles, Nationals, and Royals. But this move to Chicago might be different - not just because of the team, but because of who’s behind the scenes.
In a recent appearance on the Foul Territory podcast, Harvey opened up about what drew him to the Cubs. And it wasn’t the usual suspects like money, role, or even the team’s trajectory. It was a meeting with the Cubs’ newly promoted vice president of pitching, Tyler Zombro, that sealed the deal.
“He won me over pretty quick,” Harvey said, making it clear that Zombro’s vision and approach were a major selling point.
That’s not something you hear every day. But it speaks volumes about the Cubs’ evolving pitching infrastructure - and how it’s starting to resonate with players across the league.
Zombro, who was promoted in December after just one year with the organization, is quickly building a reputation as a difference-maker. At just 31 years old, he was already drawing interest from other clubs, including the Nationals, who reportedly wanted him as their MLB pitching coach.
The Cubs didn’t let him get away. And now, his impact is being felt not just on the mound, but in the free-agent market.
He’s not new to this. Just last offseason, Zombro played a key role in bringing in Brad Keller on a minor league deal.
That move flew under the radar at the time, but it paid off in a big way. Keller went on to become the Cubs’ closer during their postseason run, and parlayed that success into a two-year, $22 million deal with the Phillies.
That’s the kind of turnaround that gets noticed - by players and agents alike.
For Harvey, the appeal is clear. After an injury-shortened season, he’s looking for a place where he can stay healthy, stay sharp, and get back to being the high-leverage arm he’s shown he can be. Zombro’s track record - short as it may be - suggests he might be the guy to help him get there.
The Cubs have made some splashier moves this offseason - Alex Bregman and Edward Cabrera certainly headline the haul - but don’t overlook what’s happening beneath the surface. The organization is investing in development, in infrastructure, and in people like Zombro who are changing the way the Cubs do business on the pitching side.
And now, that’s starting to show up in the kind of players they’re attracting.
Harvey’s deal may be just one year, but it’s another signal that the Cubs are building something pitchers want to be a part of. Whether it’s helping guys rebound, reinvent, or simply refine their game, the Cubs are becoming a destination - not just because of who’s on the field, but because of who’s behind the scenes.