Chicago Cubs not in market for big-ticket free agent relievers, says insider

The Chicago Cubs have been the busiest team this post-World Series week.

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The major story, of course, was that they decided not to pick up their option on lefty starter Shota Imanaga, a move that will eventually lead to him becoming a free agent (if/when he turns down a qualifying offer).

The secondary story, however, came on the same day as the Imanaga news. Trade deadline acquisition reliever Andrew Kittredge was traded back to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations.

The Cubs’ unwillingness to pick up a $9 million team option on the soon-to-be 36-year-old righty is the logical assumption behind the move. Even though Kittredge became one of manager Craig Counsell’s go-to bullpen assets by the end of the regular season, it was always doubtful that the team would pay $9 million to an aging middle reliever/setup man.

Rebuilding an entire bullpen

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But Kittredge’s departure shines a spotlight on the fact that Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is going to have to almost completely rebuild the bullpen for 2026.

Of the eight relievers in their NLDS bullpen, only two are guaranteed to be Cubs next season– Daniel Palencia and Ben Brown. Surprise performers Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz, and Caleb Thielbar are free agents, along with Michael Soroka, Aaron Civale, Taylor Rogers, and Ryan Brasier. And now Kittredge is an ex-Cub.

Chicago Cubs will not be big-ticket spenders

It could be assumed that, with money coming off the books from Imanaga and the outgoing Kyle Tucker, the Cubs might dip into the deep end of the free agent bullpen talent pool this winter. They DID make a play at signing Tanner Scott last offseason. However, insiders say that a bullpen-buying Cubs team is not a safe assumption.

Per Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic:

“But league sources told The Athletic not to expect the Cubs to jump in on big-name free agent relievers, at least not early on. The Cubs are not going to be setting the market on relievers. Perhaps someone could fall through the cracks and be available in January or February at a deal that could provide potential surplus value. In that case, the Cubs may pounce; otherwise, reeling in big fish in the reliever department in free agency just isn’t in the cards for this front office. A trade for an established reliever on an expiring deal — like Ryan Pressly last winter — shouldn’t be ruled out, though.”

Chicago Cubs crossing fingers, hoping for the best

Chicago will be banking heavily on the rebound of Porter Hodge, the health of Eli Morgan, and at least a couple of pleasant surprises coming from Triple-A. Unfortunately, it’s just as likely that Palencia will experience some regression as it is that Hodge and Morgan will make significant comebacks.

There is also the feeling that trading away Kittredge may open the door for an attempt at bringing back Keller, who has been a favorite of Counsell since even before spring training and proved his worth with a 2.07 ERA in 68 games last season. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden is estimating Keller’s contract at 2-years for $15 million, although Spotrac sees his market value at just under $2 million per season after making $1.5 million in 2025.

Keeping Keller would be a positive for the Cubs bullpen, but there’s not a whole lot of general positivity surrounding the relief corps right now.

There are just lots and lots of questions and a team that remains steadfast in not spending any real money to answer them.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-bullpen-free-agents-2026