Cubs agree to deal with free-agent righty 

The Cubs have agreed to a deal with free-agent righty Josh Staumont, reports Darren Wolfson of KSTP and SKOR North Radio. The Twins released Staumont recently after designating him for assignment. He’s headed to the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate in Iowa.

Staumont, 30, pitched to a solid 3.70 ERA in 24 1/3 frames with Minnesota before being cut loose. His velocity was down considerably from peak levels and he managed that run-prevention mark despite a rough strikeout and walk rates. The now-former Twins and Royals right-hander fanned just 17.6% of his opponents — well below league average and well below the 26.2% mark he carried into the season. The dip in strikeouts didn’t come with improved command, either. Staumont, who walked 13% of his opponents with the Royals between 2019-23, issued a free pass to 13.7% of his opponents with the Twins. His 5.06 SIERA casts a far less encouraging picture than his baseline ERA.

Even with sub-par command, Staumont looked to be breaking out as a solid member of the Kansas City bullpen in 2020-21. The 2015 second-rounder pitched 91 1/3 innings out of the Royals’ bullpen between those two seasons and turned in a sharp 2.76 ERA with an impressive 29% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate. Staumont averaged better than 98 mph in 2020 and just shy of 97 mph in 2021. Injuries have since taken their toll, however. He’s missed time with biceps, knee, calf and neck injuries since 2021, and his 2023 season ended when he underwent thoracic outlet surgery last summer.

The Twins inked Staumont to a one-year, $950K contract in free agency over the winter. They’re on the hook for the remainder, minus the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the Cubs’ big league roster (which Chicago would pay). If Staumont makes it up to the majors with the Cubs and impresses them, he’ll be eligible for arbitration again this winter and could thus be retained through the 2025 season.