ORLANDO, Fla. — Though the Chicago Cubs might not be in the market for a top-of-the-line hitter now, they’re likely to add more to their pitching staff after already signing reliever Phil Maton last month. Speaking at the winter meetings Monday, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was asked if the team could still sign another high-leverage pitcher.
“We’ll be in that market,” Hoyer said. “Whether we end up signing someone or not, I don’t know. I think we can be in that market. We’re definitely going to sign more relievers this offseason.”
The Cubs need to rebuild their bullpen because trusted 2025 relievers Caleb Thielbar, Drew Pomeranz and Brad Keller are all free agents. Maton helps toward that goal, but they need more relievers.
Former Padres closer Robert Suarez and former Rays closer Pete Fairbanks would be top-of-the-market possibilities but just as likely are relievers who wouldn’t command pricey contracts, such as Steven Matz, Ryne Stanek and Hoby Milner. A reunion with Thielbar and/or Pomeranz also isn’t out of the question, though Keller could price himself out of the Cubs’ plans, according to league sources.
Under Hoyer, the Cubs haven’t signed many relievers to multiyear deals, though Maton inked a two-year contract.
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“Every team has to make its own decisions on how they allocate resources,” Hoyer said. “Other teams may choose to put really big blocks in the bullpen. That’s up to them. I’d rather use those big chunks of money to go get a starting pitching or a position player.”
Some of that money Hoyer is referencing likely will go to a starter. Even with the return of lefty Shota Imanaga, who accepted the Cubs’ qualifying offer this offseason, Chicago wants to add more to its rotation. The Cubs could pursue Japanese righty Tatsuya Imai or perhaps a more affordable option, such as Michael King, whose market is still developing, though he has six suitors interested in him, according to sources familiar with his situation. The Cubs are one of them.
“We’re definitely looking for another starter, but could we add multiple guys that can make starts?” Hoyer said. “Yeah.”
The Cubs could sign or trade for a regular starter or hybrid guys, as they did a season ago when they brought in Colin Rea. He was very productive in helping the Cubs to the postseason.
Third baseman Matt Shaw was one of the better hitters in the Cubs’ lineup during the second half of the season. When Shaw’s name came up Monday, Hoyer shot down rumors about replacing him.
“I’ve been surprised by the number of media reports that link us to different guys,” Hoyer said. “There is zero lack of confidence in Matt. I would say the opposite.”
Shaw’s .839 second-half OPS was second best among regular players, and though the Cubs might not be looking to replace him, there’s still a concern with their offense as right fielder Kyle Tucker isn’t likely to re-sign. The team could rely more on young hitters, such as Shaw and prospects Moises Ballesteros and Owen Caissie.
“With that, there is some uncertainty,” Hoyer said. “There is some volatility to some of our performance that I think about.”
