The Chicago Cubs are bringing back a familiar and reliable arm as they work to reinforce a bullpen that quietly became one of their strengths in 2025. Veteran left-hander Caleb Thielbar is finalizing a deal to return to Wrigleyville, a move that reflects both his impact last season and the front office’s confidence in its bullpen blueprint.
Thielbar, who turns 39 next season, was one of the Cubs’ most dependable relievers in 2025 after signing a one-year, $2.75 million deal. He delivered a 2.64 ERA over 67 appearances and followed that up with five scoreless innings in the postseason - a stretch that helped solidify his value to manager Craig Counsell’s staff. The agreement is pending a routine medical review.
What Thielbar brought to the Cubs wasn’t just numbers - it was presence. He became a trusted late-inning option and a steadying influence in a bullpen that went through plenty of turnover.
Late in the year, Thielbar called the 2025 Cubs the “closest” team he’s ever been on - a tight-knit group that reignited energy at Wrigley and genuinely enjoyed being around each other. That chemistry mattered.
His resurgence, alongside Drew Pomeranz’s reemergence and Brad Keller’s continued development, gave the Cubs something they’ve been chasing for years: a bullpen that can be rebuilt on the fly, with savvy, low-risk signings and internal growth. The front office, led by Jed Hoyer, seems to be leaning into that approach again this offseason.
Chicago has remained in contact with both Pomeranz and Keller about potential returns, though the status of those discussions remains up in the air. What’s clear is that the Cubs have been aggressive in the reliever market.
They made a run at Ryan Helsley before he signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Orioles. They also checked in on Emilio Pagán, who ultimately returned to the Reds on a two-year, $20 million contract.
And they came up short in the pursuit of Devin Williams, who landed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets.
One name that’s been floated internally is Pete Fairbanks, the former Rays closer known for his electric stuff and late-inning experience. Whether that materializes or not, the message is clear: the Cubs want another high-leverage arm.
Counsell may not name a traditional closer for Opening Day - that’s not really his style - but he wants options. Daniel Palencia, who saved 22 games last season and thrived in the playoffs, is firmly in the mix.
Still, Counsell prefers to label his bullpen weapons as “out-getters,” not closers, giving him the flexibility to play matchups and manage leverage however he sees fit.
Hoyer’s front office has already taken a step outside its usual comfort zone by signing Phil Maton to a two-year, $14.5 million deal before Thanksgiving - a notable commitment for a reliever. And just recently, they finalized a one-year, $3.75 million contract with Hoby Milner, another lefty with a unique delivery and a history with Counsell from their time in Milwaukee.
Milner and Thielbar give the Cubs two very different looks from the left side. According to Statcast, Milner has the lowest arm slot of any left-handed pitcher in the league, while Thielbar works from one of the highest. That contrast can be a nightmare for opposing hitters, especially in late-inning matchups when every pitch counts.
The Cubs also added Collin Snider on a minor-league deal earlier this offseason, a move that could pay off if he can rediscover the form he showed with the Mariners in 2024 - a 1.94 ERA and 27.8% strikeout rate over 41 2/3 innings. It’s another example of the Cubs betting on upside and believing in their ability to help pitchers unlock their best stuff.
Thielbar’s path to this point is a story of perseverance. Drafted by the Twins in the 18th round back in 2009 out of South Dakota State, he spent parts of eight seasons grinding through Triple-A and even pitched in independent ball.
From 2016 through 2019, he didn’t appear in a single major-league game. But he kept working, kept believing - and eventually carved out a second act that’s been even more impressive than his first.
In 2025, Thielbar didn’t just return - he evolved. He leaned more into his hard slider, tightened up his mechanics, and found a rhythm that allowed him to walk just 13 of the 220 batters he faced. That kind of command and consistency is exactly what the Cubs are banking on again in 2026.
With Thielbar back in the fold and Milner joining the mix, the Cubs are building a bullpen with versatility, experience, and trust - three pillars that matter deeply to Counsell. There’s still work to be done, and the search for a late-inning weapon continues.
But this move? It’s another step toward building a bullpen that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the National League.