As the MLB free agency market for relief pitchers starts to thin out, the Chicago Cubs find themselves in a crucial position to bolster their bullpen.
Jed Hoyer, the Cubs’ general manager, cannot afford to wait and hope for players to fall into his lap, as he might with position players like Cody Bellinger. The demand for high-end relievers is strong, and the Cubs still have uncertainties in their bullpen as they head into Spring Training next month.
With notable names like Josh Hader, Robert Stephenson, David Robertson, and Aroldis Chapman already signed elsewhere, let’s take a closer look at the top four remaining relievers who could make a significant impact for the Cubs in 2024.
Mark Melancon
Mark Melancon has been a consistently reliable reliever in recent years, owning a 3.30 ERA since 2018. Although he faced some challenges in 2022 with a 4.66 ERA (4.20 FIP), he missed the following season due to a shoulder injury.
With three more months of recovery, Melancon is expected to be healthy and ready for 2024. After the Diamondbacks declined his $5 million option, he is now a free agent. While his age (38) and the missed season might make him a relatively inexpensive option, his experience and 262 career saves make him an intriguing, high-upside addition for Jed Hoyer and the Cubs.
Signing Melancon could be a calculated risk worth taking.
Adam Ottavino
Adam Ottavino has been a reliable bullpen arm over the past two seasons, posting an impressive 2.62 ERA in 127.1 innings of work. He spent those two seasons with the New York Mets, earning $14.5 million with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.25 million.
Given his consistent success, it’s unlikely he’ll settle for anything less than that in his next contract. If the Cubs are in need of a back-end reliever, they must be prepared to make a substantial investment to strengthen their team for the upcoming season.
Hector Neris
Hector Neris is currently one of the most sought-after arms in free agency, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him secure a multi-year deal this offseason. Fresh off an outstanding season with the Houston Astros, where he posted a remarkable 1.71 ERA, Neris enters free agency at the perfect time.
Although 2023 marked his best season, his 2019 performance with a 2.93 ERA showcases his consistent ability. While his 3.83 FIP in 2023 suggests some luck, his past four seasons have seen FIP numbers as low as 2.50 and 2.35 in years when his ERA was higher.
Neris may not be the top choice on this list, but his potential to contribute to the Cubs in 2024 makes him a valuable target, especially with the team’s emphasis on defense mitigating his lower ground ball rate.
Wandy Peralta
Left-handed pitcher Wandy Peralta presents another intriguing option for the Cubs to enhance their bullpen. While his 2.83 ERA is impressive, his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) at 5.05 raises some concerns. However, Peralta’s ability to limit opposing batters to a batting average of .190 cannot be overlooked.
Over the last three seasons, he has maintained a respectable 2.96 ERA. Peralta brings a variety of pitches to the table, with three of them ranking above average. He could serve as a valuable setup man alongside Adbert Alzolay, giving manager Craig Counsell more flexibility in late-game situations. Securing Peralta on a multi-year deal could be a wise move for the Cubs.
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