Cubs Reliever Options Dwindling as Three More Free Agents Sign Elsewhere

The Chicago Cubs have finalized their trade for Ryan Pressly, but the team is reportedly looking to add one more reliever to their bullpen as the 2025 season approaches. However, the reliever options are dwindling as three more free agents who made sense as Cubs targets have now signed elsewhere.

We already knew that Kirby Yates was signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers and his deal was reported on Tuesday night. Yates, who has been great the past two seasons following Tommy John surgery, will earn $13 million in 2025 with the Dodgers. The right-hander can also earn an additional $1 million if he pitches in 55+ games for Los Angeles.

Right-handed reliever Kirby Yates and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a one-year, $13 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Can get up to $14M with 55 games. Deal is done. The Dodgers’ bullpen gets even stronger. First on Yates’ physical being passed was @Feinsand.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 29, 2025

The Cubs reportedly had interest in Yates this offseason and it seemed like they would have been the ideal landing spot for the closer after the Dodgers had already agreed to a four-year deal with Tanner Scott, who the Cubs also made an offer to. However, Los Angeles quickly engaged in contract talks with Yates and locked him up on the one-year deal.

On Wednesday, there were two more deals that were made public. Former Houston Astros reliever Ryne Stanek, who pitched for the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets in 2024, has re-signed with the Mets.

Source: Ryne Stanek has agreed to a one-year deal to rejoin the Mets.

It's a return to Queens for Stanek, who was nails out of the bullpen in the postseason.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) January 29, 2025

During the past week the Cubs were reportedly involved in talks with Stanek, who has a career 3.65 ERA in 401 MLB appearances. Although he had a down season, Stanek still put up elite velocity numbers, while generating a high whiff rate that is attractive to work with out of the bullpen.

Stanek has also performed well in the postseason, recording a 2.89 ERA in 28 playoff innings with the Miami Marlins, Astros and Mets. He reportedly signed for $4.5 million and can earn $500,000 in incentives with New York.

Ryne Stanek’s deal with the Mets is for $4.5 million, per source. Stanek can earn another $500K in incentives.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 29, 2025

Finally, longtime reliever Tommy Kahnle, who made his MLB debut back in 2014, has reportedly agreed to a contract with the Detroit Tigers. The right-handed pitcher was great for the New York Yankees last season, posting a 2.11 ERA in 42.2 innings.

He has a 3.47 ERA in 390 appearances and has been a ground ball machine throughout his career, especially the last two seasons, coming in at a 54.1 GB%.

Right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year, $7.75 million contract, pending physical, sources told ESPN. Detroit’s bullpen, a strength last season, adds one of the foremost changeup artists in baseball to throw leverage innings.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 29, 2025

So, where do the Cubs go from here?

Well, the team has been in contact with David Robertson, with both sides reportedly interested in a reunion. The veteran reliever pitched with the Cubs in 2022, and was then flipped at the trade deadline for pitching prospect Ben Brown.

Besides Robertson, the other notable free agent relievers still available are Carlos Estevez, Kyle Finnegan, and Andrew Chafin. The Cubs have also been rumored to be in trade talks with the San Diego Padres for a few of their pitchers, including their current closer Robert Suarez.