"I think we all agree the Cubs need to bring back Brad Keller as a setup man for Daniel Palencia. Keller will be 30 next year and was nearly elite in high-leverage situations. He'll be much more expensive than the $1.5 million he cost Chicago in 2025. Drew Pomeranz is 37 but was equally dominant last year. We'd be lying to ourselves if we said we didn't expect some regression, but he thrived under Craig Counsell."
"His 30.8% strikeout rate, 5.3% walk rate, and 49.2% ground ball rate say he's worth keeping at the price. That said, Hoyer could seek a two-year deal that lowers the righty's AAV. His age (36) makes it a little risky, but he's shown no signs of diminishing. Jalen Beeks is a reliever who could interest the Cubs and someone who could thrive in Chicago. The lefty fanned 20.3% of his opponents with an 8.7% walk rate in 2025."
The Cubs can fill 10–12 roster spots in 2026 primarily with inexpensive relievers to assemble a frugal but potentially dominant bullpen. Brad Keller projects as a setup man for Daniel Palencia, will be 30 next year, excelled in high-leverage work, and will cost more than the $1.5 million paid in 2025. Drew Pomeranz, 37, was dominant in 2025, may regress but thrived under Craig Counsell, and is a candidate for a one-year return or retirement. Andrew Kittredge carries a $1 million buyout on a $9 million club option with strong strikeout, walk, and ground-ball metrics. Jalen Beeks, 32, is a lefty with solid 2025 peripherals but two poor August outings inflated his results. Ryan Helsley should be monitored after a trade that failed to improve his market value.
Read at Cubsinsider
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