The Chicago Cubs needed to upgrade their bullpen this offseason.
The collapse of that unit last year was a major reason why they weren't able to hold onto a playoff spot, despite being firmly in the Wild Card picture throughout the second half of the season.
Lack of depth and injury was what decimated the relief staff, something the Cubs are hoping to avoid in 2024.
They've added some Major League arms in Hector Neris and Yency Almonte, and likely have their eye on more acquisitions.
It's possible that Chicago might have been interested in a reunion with Michael Fulmer, who they signed to a one-year deal last offseason, but he hit free agency after the year and is expected to miss all of 2024 after getting surgery for his UCL.
The right-hander didn't quite have his best stuff with the Cubs in 2023, posting an ERA of 4.42 across 58 appearances.
Originally a draft pick of the Detroit Tigers, Fulmer won Rookie of the Year in 2016 after having an 11-7 record and 3.06 ERA in 26 starts and 159 innings pitched.
He followed it up with his first All-Star selection in 2017.
However, that's where his injury history would begin, getting surgery for an ulnar nerve transposition in his elbow, a torn meniscus and finally a season ending Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss all of 2019.
Fulmer started 10 games in 2020 but struggled mightily. He then moved into the bullpen and is now operating as a reliever.
Another surgery will make things difficult for the 30-year-old, but the Boston Red Sox are seemingly comfortable with stashing him in their pipeline as he recovers from his most recent surgery as Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports it's a two-year minor league deal for the Fulmer.
It will be interesting to see how he looks when he's back on the mound after another elbow surgery, but the former Chicago player will get another chance following his rehab.
More must-reads: