The Cubs Need a Closer for Their March To the Playoffs

No team makes it through a season without pitching injuries, but few contenders have been tested quite like the Chicago Cubs have.

As it currently stands, they have seven bullpen arms that are on the injured list. Along with some other stints earlier this year, these injuries have led to an extremely fluid bullpen, forcing unexpected contributors into leverage roles.

They entered 2026 under the impression that Daniel Palencia would handle the bulk of save opportunities. However, he is now in the middle of his second IL stint of the season, and the Cubs need some late-innings stability as soon as possible.

With the trade deadline approaching, Jed Hoyer and the Cubs’ front office could be in search of high-leverage bullpen arms. As they enter the back half of the season, adding relievers with proven late-inning experience will be crucial. Otherwise, their hopes of a deep playoff run could be cut short.

All stats were updated before play on July 20.

State of the Bullpen

The Cubs’ bullpen has been ravaged by injuries this season. Some guys have visited the injured list just once for the minimum stint, others have been there multiple times, and some have yet to come off since landing there.

This has opened the door for several relievers to make a name for themselves, and some have taken full advantage. Ryan Rolison is a prime example.

Designated for assignment by the Rockies last November, he bounced around on waivers before reinventing himself with the Cubs. An improved arsenal has helped him post a 2.72 ERA over 36.1 innings this season, making him a huge success story for both himself and the Cubs’ coaching staff.

Outside of Rolison, few relievers have consistently established themselves in high-leverage spots. This has challenged Craig Counsell’s bullpen management in a big way. In close games, he may use his leverage arm to keep the game tight but then is forced to use a less experienced arm in the eighth or ninth innings.

It’s a difficult balancing act and a big reason why the Cubs need to add a proven closer at the deadline. They need someone capable of consistently locking down the ninth inning.

That addition could be critical to their postseason aspirations. Without a reliable arm anchoring the back end of the bullpen, the Cubs may struggle to reach the heights they envisioned entering the 2026 season.

Potential Deadline Fits

The trade deadline is right around the corner. Rumors have begun to surface, but most remain broad. The Cubs have not been directly linked to anyone just yet.

While the Cubs haven’t been connected to any specific relievers, there are several arms who make sense as potential fits.

With that in mind, here are some back-end relievers the Cubs could make a run at.

Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox

After 10 years, a reunion between the Cubs and Aroldis Chapman may be on the table. The left-hander is still dominating in the late innings, and that is exactly what Chicago needs.

While he doesn’t throw quite as hard as he used to, he is still averaging 97.5 mph on his fastballs and racking up strikeouts at an elite rate.

On the season, he has worked 30.2 innings while striking out 38 batters, good for a 29.5% strikeout rate. Strikeout ability would be huge for a Cubs bullpen that ranks 21st in strikeout rate this season. Add to that his 2.05 ERA, and you have an ideal bullpen target.

There are two issues worth considering, however: the Red Sox have rattled off 13 straight wins and are now in the postseason picture, while Chapman’s price tag would likely be quite high if he were to be made available. Still, if the Cubs want to get over the hump in October, Chapman could be the key to doing so.

Luke Weaver, New York Mets

If the Red Sox elect to hold onto Chapman, Luke Weaver is arguably the best reliever available and is someone who made sense for the Cubs in the offseason. He ended up signing with the Mets, a team who is widely expected to be big-time sellers at the deadline.

While Weaver isn’t closing games right now, he has experience doing so in the past and is producing the type of results that teams dream of in the back end of their bullpen.

Through 40 innings this season, he has a 2.03 ERA and 43 strikeouts. He’s generally lacked any major holes in his game, limiting hard contact at around a league-average rate while generating chase and whiffs.

Out of the Mets’ bullpen, he may be one of the more unlikely candidates to be moved, especially compared to guys like Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter, who are viewed as near certainties to be dealt. But if the Cubs are serious about adding impact arms, he is one worth targeting.

Pete Fairbanks, Miami Marlins

A trade for Pete Fairbanks would be a bit of a buy-low move. The current Marlin is running a 7.42 ERA over 30.1 innings in what has been an uncharacteristically poor season from the 32-year-old.

From 2020 to 2025, he posted a 2.87 ERA and 30.2% strikeout rate over 244.1 innings, racking up 88 saves over that span.

Looking at the overall stuff and velocity, nothing stands out as a big change. The only noticeable difference is his arm angle, which dropped six degrees from last season. Still, the pitch shapes remain very similar.

Targeting a rebound candidate could allow Chicago to preserve prospect capital while also pursuing rotation help. It is a risk, as results cannot be ignored, but there’s a real chance Fairbanks could return to form, and that bet just might be worth it for Jed Hoyer.

Whether it’s an established closer like Chapman, a proven high-leverage reliever like Weaver, or a rebound candidate in Fairbanks, adding another late-inning reliever feels like a necessity.

The Cubs have managed to stay afloat despite cycling through bullpen arms all season, a testament to both Craig Counsell’s bullpen management and the organization’s ability to recognize and develop contributors. But asking that group to navigate October without a proven late-inning arm is a different challenge.

If Chicago wants to maximize what has been a promising season to this point, reinforcing the bullpen should be among its top priorities before the deadline.