Inside The Cubs

Cubs Uncharacteristically Named Top Suitor for Best Remaining Free Agent Reliever

The Chicago Cubs may add another top relief arm to the bullpen ahead of MLB Spring Training.
Kade Kistner|
Oct 8, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Tanner Scott (66) throws in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Oct 8, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Tanner Scott (66) throws in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

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Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have been relatively quiet this winter after pulling off two trades; one that saw Kyle Tucker arrive via the Houston Astros and another that shipped Cody Bellinger off to the New York Yankees.

The Cubs payroll is down nearly $60 million from last year's MLB Opening Day and the team has swung and missed on a few players they really liked, namely Roki Sasaki.

In fact, Chicago's Jed Hoyer was vocal about his disappointment when speaking to ESPN.

"Disappointing. We put a lot of time and effort into it," said Hoyer. "1000's of man hours in presentations. I could not be more proud of the way we presented. That part went really well. Honored that we made it to the 8 teams he met with. Disappointed we didn't get a rose to get to the final 3."

But maybe the Cubs can still reel in one of the largest fish in the free agent pool. According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, Chicago has substantial interest in former Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres backend reliever Tanner Scott.

Widely considered one of, if not the best, bullpen arm on the market, Scott may command a multi-year deal north of $20 million a season according to some reports. It is especially uncharacteristic for the Cubs to entertain such a deal as they havent signed a relief pitcher to a seven-figure deal in almost half a decade.

But Scott could be the exception.

Last season, between the Marlins and Padres, Scott compiled a 1.75 ERA and 1.125 WHIP over 72.0 innings pitched in what was a career year. The left-hander has been solid for many seasons before 2024 and he rightly should command the largest deal on the relief pitching market.

However, there is always a caveat with relievers. Very few can remain at an elite level in the most volatile position in baseball. There is a reason why championship teams address the bullpen at the trade deadline. Performance can vary not just season-to-season but week-to-week and game-to-game.

Doling out a $20 million AAV contract to a relief pitcher is a risk and one that Chicago very rarely takes. It would be out of character but it would absolutely be the splash Cubs fans have been waiting on all winter.

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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