All right, we're getting to that part of the offseason where the Chicago Cubs have added a couple players, haven't signed a top-tier free agent or made a significant trade, which is making already agitated fans even more pissed off. Hey, I try to be as optimistic as possible when trying to speculate what this team will and won't do, but without much activity I won't tell you how to feel. That being said, it's the middle of December, so it's not like Opening Day is next week and the roster is set.
Anyway, we did get some news this past weekend and although it's off the field, it might be the single best move of the offseason by the Cubs. Last offseason the Cubs hired Tyler Zombro as a special pitching assistant. He was a former pro pitcher, who played in the minor leagues with the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers from 2017-2023.
Zombro didn't reach the majors, but he became one of the most important voices in the sport thanks to his training facility that eventually merged with Tread Athletics. Those in know described Zombro as one of the three smartest pitching minds in the game and the hiring a year ago was recognized as a real game-changer for the Cubs organization.
Now, the 31-year-old has been promoted to vice president of pitching by the Cubs, giving Zombro more responsibility and a bigger voice in Jed Hoyer's front office. According to The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma, the Washington Nationals wanted Zombro to become their MLB pitching coach, but the Cubs blocked that attempt and instead gave the pitching guru a higher title to remain with the Cubs.
Although Zombro has only been in the organization for one year he's already had a great effect on the team. Zombro is credited for targeting Brad Keller last offseason and bringing him into the Cubs organization on a minor league deal. After several years of decline, Keller revived his career with the help of the Cubs and has now become a highly coveted free agent after posting a 2.07 ERA in 68 games as a reliever in 2025.
Zombro is taking over as the vice president of pitching for the Cubs, the title that was previously held by Ryan Otero, who joined Craig Breslow's front office with the Boston Red Sox earlier this offseason.
Yes, we want the Cubs to sign top free agents or go after quality trade targers, but keeping Tyler Zombro in the organization is also a very important development for this team. Good stuff here to not let Zombro slip away.
