Time to Pivot: 6 Relief Pitchers Cubs Should Consider

Having only pitched eight games in 2024, LHP Brooks Raley flies under the radar as a part of the free agency class. When healthy, Raley is a top left-handed relief option. 

Raley is familiar with the Cubs, having spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons with the organization. Raley made five starts in 2012, but became a bullpen arm the following season. After he was claimed by the Minnesota Twins via waivers, Raley spent most of his time in the minors. By 2015, Raley had not seen MLB action and opted to venture to the KBO. In five seasons with the Lotte Giants, Raley reinvented himself and returned to MLB. Stops in Cincinnati, Houston, and Tampa Bay proceeded his time in New York. In 2022 with Tampa Bay, Raley posted his first high-quality season at the ripe age of 34. 

Having aged like fine wine, Raley would be a perfect one-year option for the Cubs. The lefty has a four-pitch mix, relying heavily on a sweeper that is supplemented by his sinker and cutter. Raley factors in a changeup as well, and once in a blue moon will throw a four-seamer. His metrics such as average exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard-hit percentage are all in the top 10% in baseball. 

Coming off an injury-riddled 2024, Raley might come for a little less than some of the other names on this list. However, expectation of something close to $8 million for one season is very reasonable. 

RHP Kirby Yates

If we're basing this list off of 2024 statistics, Yates is the no-doubt, sure-fire choice that the Cubs should sign. Yates posted a 3.34 WAR in 2024 and his Baseball Savant page is littered with red. He's a damn good pitcher and had one of his best career seasons at age 37. 

Yates looked like himself again in 2024. After an explosive season in 2019 with the San Diego Padres, Yates was limited in 2020 due to an elbow injury and then missed the entire 2021 season with Tommy John after signing with the Toronto Blue Jays. He never appeared in a game for the Jays, as Yates came back with the Atlanta Braves in 2022. He struggled, but started finding his footing in year two with Atlanta in 2023. 

Betting on himself, Yates signed a small one-year deal with the Texas Rangers. He swiped the closing role and never looked back. The soon-to-be 38-year-old should cash in on a deal for one or two seasons. 

Yates relies on a four-seam/splitter combination to dominate opposing hitters. A slider is in the arsenal, but the reliever rarely uses the pitch. Based on his recent success, a one-year deal with a second-year option in the neighborhood of $12 million is my prediction if Yates gets to the north side. 

RHP Kyle Finnegan

Perhaps the most-discussed name in Cubs' fan circles, Kyle Finnegan is coming off a 38-save campaign in Washington. Despite all the saves, Finnegan had a 3.68 ERA, very consistent with his two prior seasons, and his numbers don't jump off the page like some of the other names on this list. In fact, Finnegan's WAR was under 1.00 last season with the Washington Nationals. 

Although Finnegan makes plenty of sense, getting the Great Value version of Kirby Yates, for potentially similar money, might not be the best play. He also relies on a four-seam/splitter mix and has a slider that he uses sparingly. It really is Yates with a bit of a different look physically and inferior results. That said, if Finnegan comes to Chicago, we're looking at a one-year, $7 million deal in my eyes. 

LHP Scott Alexander

Who is Scott Alexander? Well, he's another lefty that you should know about. The 35-year-old reliever spent 2024 with the Oakland Athletics after two seasons on the other side of the bay in San Francisco. 

Alexander profiles as the type of pitcher the Cubs like. He has a very high groundball percentage, and his sinker/slider/change arsenal plays to that. He doesn't throw very hard, but he's crafty in the way he gets outs. 

The "back of the baseball card stats" for Alexander are, well, weird. In 2024, Alexander had a 2.56 ERA over 45 appearances (good!) but his underlying numbers told a different story. He had a 4.02 expected ERA, closer to his actual ERA in 2023. In 2023, Alexander had a 4.66 ERA, but a 3.61 expected ERA and his underlying metrics were far better with San Francisco. Maybe it was a case of good luck/bad luck, but he has the stats to warrant interest from the Cubs. 

Yes, the Cubs signed LHP Caleb Thielbar to add a lefty to their bullpen, but after a rough season with the Minnesota Twins in 2024, another lefty is never a bad option. If it isn't going to be Raley, Alexander would fit the bill rather nicely as well. 

RHP David Robertson

Another familiar face to the Cubs organization, David Robertson reinvented himself in Chicago during the 2022 season. In addition, fans can thank Robertson's incredible turnaround for Ben Brown, as he was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies at the 2022 trade deadline for the veteran. 

Robertson had a great run as the closer for the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox before fading out in 2019 due to injury. Having not pitched in 2020, Robertson came back with the Rays in 2021. Although it was a statistically underwhelming season, it set the table for his turnaround with the Cubs. 

Robertson posted a good season with the Rangers after signing a big one-year, eight-figure deal. Now, Robertson could return to Chicago. He relies mostly on a cutter and curveball, but can flutter a slider, changeup, and sinker into his mix too. One year and roughly $9 million could be what Robertson gets. 

RHP Carlos Estevez

Rumors are already swirling about Carlos Estevez and his increasing market. Many of the teams who missed out on Scott, including the Cubs, have pivoted to relievers like Estevez. The former Angel and Philly had a spectacular season in the City of Angels and City of Brotherly Love in 2024, posting a 2.45 ERA and 26 saves between the two franchises. Now, he's looking to cash in on a potential multi-year deal. 

Estevez is the opposite of what the Cubs typically like in their relievers, but he makes up for it in other ways. With a lack of ground balls, Estevez has a high-velocity fastball, rarely walks batters, and gets a respectable amount of whiffs and strikeouts. 

Estevez would be a nice addition to the end of the Cubs' pen. Although some of the other options on this list could be better fits for the Cubs, Estevez would still be a welcomed addition. Estevez could easily get a two- or three-year deal worth somewhere around $8-$10 million per season. 

Who do you want to see the Cubs sign? How many of these names could they potentially scoop up? Leave some thoughts or share with us over @OnTapSportsNet and @CubbiesOnTap.