The Chicago Cubs have continued to reshape their bullpen this offseason by adding another familiar arm from the Texas Rangers. According to reporting from The Athletic, Chicago has agreed to a one-year contract with right-handed reliever Jacob Webb that includes a club option for the 2027 season. Webb is set to earn $1.5 million in 2026, while the option year would be valued at $2.5 million and includes performance-based incentives.

Webb, now 32, spent the 2025 season with Texas after signing a modest one-year deal last winter. While his profile doesn’t fit the mold of a high-octane power reliever, Webb proved to be a dependable innings-eater out of the bullpen. Despite missing some time due to a back issue, he made 55 appearances and logged 66 innings, finishing with a 3.00 ERA. He struck out 58 batters while issuing 19 walks, providing steady middle-relief production for a Rangers club that dealt with bullpen inconsistency.

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What Webb lacks in raw velocity, he makes up for with contact management. Advanced metrics from the 2025 season paint a picture of a pitcher who consistently limits quality contact. Opponents struggled to square him up, as evidenced by strong marks in exit velocity, barrel rate, and hard-hit percentage. That skill set aligns with the Cubs’ recent focus on targeting relievers who can induce weak contact and avoid damaging swings, even without elite strikeout totals.

Webb’s career path has been anything but linear. He debuted with the Atlanta Braves in 2019 and made an immediate impact, posting a sub-1.50 ERA as a rookie. He remained part of Atlanta’s bullpen over the next few seasons, including their 2021 championship run, though his postseason results were uneven. After a series of roster moves and designations for assignment, Webb bounced between organizations, including stops with Arizona, the Los Angeles Angels, and the Baltimore Orioles.

His time in Baltimore marked a turning point. Webb delivered back-to-back productive seasons with the Orioles in 2023 and 2024, re-establishing himself as a reliable major league reliever and earning another opportunity with Texas. That consistency appears to have caught the Cubs’ attention as they look to solidify their bullpen depth.

Webb is now the third reliever from the Rangers’ 2025 bullpen to join Chicago this offseason, following the signings of Hoby Milner and Phil Maton. While the Cubs benefit from familiarity and proven production, Texas faces the challenge of replacing multiple contributors. Although the Rangers have added reinforcements, losing several dependable bullpen arms places added pressure on their front office to continue addressing relief depth before the season begins.