ORLANDO, Fla. — Continuing to remake their bullpen, the Chicago Cubs reached an agreement with Hoby Milner on a one-year, $3.75 million contract, a league source said Thursday, reuniting the left-handed reliever with manager Craig Counsell.
Milner, who comes at hitters from a unique angle, once excelled with the Milwaukee Brewers while playing for Counsell. The best year of Milner’s career, 2023, was Counsell’s final season managing the Brewers. That campaign saw Milner post a 1.82 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP, becoming a trusted option for a team that won 92 games and a division title.
The Cubs showed interest in Milner last offseason, when he signed with the Texas Rangers. Though his strikeout rate dipped below 20 percent this year, he still delivered a respectable 3.84 ERA in 70 1/3 innings.
This deal, which includes performance bonuses, came together at a time when the top lefties in Chicago’s 2025 bullpen, Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz, are free agents.
The Cubs could put Milner in a position to succeed with his ability to create weak contact in front of an elite defense.
Over the last four seasons, Milner has generated a 51.1 percent ground-ball rate and remained remarkably durable, reaching at least 60 appearances each year while averaging 64 innings pitched.
Left-handed hitters produced a weak .526 OPS against Milner this year, which should allow Counsell to play certain matchups.
A defined role for Milner will give some structure to a bullpen that will feature Daniel Palencia and incorporate Phil Maton, who signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract before Thanksgiving.
After showing varying levels of interest in closers Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, Emilio Pagán and Pete Fairbanks, the Cubs are still actively looking for a late-game reliever.
— Britt Ghiroli contributed to this story.