[Bastian] Cubs add reliever Maton on 2-year deal with club option
November 25, 2025
[Bastian] Cubs add reliever Maton on 2-year deal with club option
5 comments
Really hope they land Helsley as one of the bounce back candidates. The stud could still be in there. Palencia Helsley Maton is a pretty good trio back there when everyone is on
1.06 WHIP and nearly 12 K/9 last year. Hopefully a nice pickup for our bullpen.
Really nice addition on the price. He is an elite whiff pitcher despite the velocity and he adds what the Cubs need: strikeouts.
He will also come in under the AAV of Kittredge.
Big win.
Lots of breaking balls. Seems best suited as a 7th inning guy.
I’m still hoping for a true closer (Diaz, Williams, Suarez) and moving Palencia into his playoff role of a “fireman” who can come in against the other team’s 1-2-3-4 hitters 55 times a year and also pitch the 9th when the closer needs a day off. Especially if the three lefty starters can consistently get to 23-24 batters an outing, and Palencia is lined up to go after batters 28-32 (i.e. 1-5 the fourth time through the lineup).
I did some analysis analysis and the best value starting pitchers the Cubs could sign are:
1. Nick Martinez
2. Ranger Suarez
3. Zach Eflin
4. Framber Valdez
5. Steven Matz
6. Michael King
7. Jack Flaherty
8. Zack Littell
9. Merrill Kelly
10. Michael Lorenzen
Dylan Cease should not be in the conversation at a $145M price point. I would much rather have any 2 of the first 7 guys over Dylan Cease.
5 comments
Really hope they land Helsley as one of the bounce back candidates. The stud could still be in there. Palencia Helsley Maton is a pretty good trio back there when everyone is on
1.06 WHIP and nearly 12 K/9 last year. Hopefully a nice pickup for our bullpen.
Really nice addition on the price. He is an elite whiff pitcher despite the velocity and he adds what the Cubs need: strikeouts.
He will also come in under the AAV of Kittredge.
Big win.
Lots of breaking balls. Seems best suited as a 7th inning guy.
I’m still hoping for a true closer (Diaz, Williams, Suarez) and moving Palencia into his playoff role of a “fireman” who can come in against the other team’s 1-2-3-4 hitters 55 times a year and also pitch the 9th when the closer needs a day off. Especially if the three lefty starters can consistently get to 23-24 batters an outing, and Palencia is lined up to go after batters 28-32 (i.e. 1-5 the fourth time through the lineup).
I did some analysis analysis and the best value starting pitchers the Cubs could sign are:
1. Nick Martinez
2. Ranger Suarez
3. Zach Eflin
4. Framber Valdez
5. Steven Matz
6. Michael King
7. Jack Flaherty
8. Zack Littell
9. Merrill Kelly
10. Michael Lorenzen
Dylan Cease should not be in the conversation at a $145M price point. I would much rather have any 2 of the first 7 guys over Dylan Cease.