The free agent reliever market is starting to heat up and the Cubs might still have a shot at signing the top available closer.
Jesse Rogers appeared on ESPN 1000 Friday afternoon and added some context to Jed Hoyer's recent comments about adding a few more pieces to the roster. We'll focus on the bullpen, but Rogers mentioned a few free agent infielders who the Cubs could sign as cover at third base. Former White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada, who we've discussed before, remains a possibility.
But how about a closer for this team?
“Let me go out on a limb, I believe the Cubs will go out and sign a back of the bullpen closer”
— Silvy (@WaddleandSilvy) January 17, 2025
-@JesseRogersESPN on @carmendefalco & @Jurko64
Tanner Scott, who is projected to command a contract upwards of $60 million, is the top prize left on the reliever market and Cubs fans are hoping the team can eventually sign him. Well, Rogers provided some hope.
Via ESPN 1000.
"I truly believe they will sign a back-end closer. I guess there’s a chance at a trade. But one way or another, this team will have one of the back-end relievers on the market."
"There are all these guys out there unsigned. The Cubs have basically checked in on all of them. Not necessarily seriously on all of them, but they've touched base with most of them, I'll say that. I think they're saving whatever dollars they have left for a back-end guy, probably a closer. That's the reportable part. I can tell you that for sure."
"They're in on the top and bottom of the closers' market. I do think they'll get one."
Rogers pretty much listed all the top closers who have yet to sign and yes that included Scott.
Of course, the Cubs aren't the only team trying to sign Scott or one of the other pitchers with closer experience such as Carlos Estevez, Kirby Yates, Kyle Finnegan, Kenley Jansen, David Robertson, etc.
However, there has been some movement on the market Friday and that includes the New York Mets, who were previously one of the teams in on the lefty. They have signed A.J. Minter and appear to be out of the Scott sweepstakes.
A.J. Minter's addition to the Mets bullpen likely means they won't further pursue Tanner Scott, I am hearing. Team officials recently met with Scott, who is considered the top reliever on the free agent market.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) January 17, 2025
At this point I wouldn't consider the Cubs a favorite or among the favorites to sign Scott simply because it would be so out of character from this front office. However, the team has obviously had conversations with his camp and even Rogers, who normally downplays when the Cubs are loosely connected to big-name players, gave them a bit of a chance earlier this week.
Bunch of relievers/closers...in fact all of them. Dominoes will fall once Scott signs...(tiny chance its Cubs with him)
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) January 15, 2025
Scott, who began his MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles from 2017-21, spent the past couple years with the Miami Marlins. The left-hander was fantastic in 2023 and then posted a lower ERA the following season.
Between his time with the Marlins and San Diego Padres last year, Scott recorded a 1.74 ERA in 72 innings. He had a 28.6 K% and allowed a total of three home runs. Scott made five relief appearances with the Padres in the postseason and did not surrender a run, holding the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers to two hits in 4.1 innings.
Will this be the offseason when the Cubs finally spend at the top of the reliever market? At the very least it sounds like Cubs fans should expect to see another proven reliever join the bullpen soon.
