The Chicago Cubs made some major waves this offseason with a pair of high-profile acquisitions and a number of smaller pickups.
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The biggest addition, of course, was free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, who was brought aboard on a 5-year, $175 million contract. Then, there was the trade for emerging powerhouse starter Edward Cabrera, who cost the Cubs their top prospect Owen Caissie and two other young players. The team also restocked a depleted bullpen with four free agent relievers and a slew of minor league contract depth pieces.
What they didn’t address this offseason, however, was the gigantic question mark in the closer position.
Daniel Palencia’s up and down 2025
Oct 2, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Daniel Palencia (48) reacts against the San Diego Padres during game three of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
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Last season, Daniel Palencia moved up from Triple-A in April to claim the big league gig from veteran Ryan Pressly in a dominant, eye-catching run that instantly made him a Wrigley Field fan favorite. Coming into August the hard-throwing righty was sporting an impressive 1.40 ERA.
But, then, things just fell apart.
Over the last two months of the season, Palencia crumbled. He posted a 7.07 ERA in 17 appearances in August and September, with an IL stint tossed in after the first week of September. In the playoffs, he was passable, with a 3.52 ERA in six appearances. It had become clear, though, that manager Craig Counsell had lost faith in the young pitcher’s reliability in high-leverage save situations.
Cubs failed to get closer insurance
Jan 12, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer talks to the media after introducing pitcher Shota Imanaga (not pictured) during a press conference at Loews Chicago Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Headed into the offseason, the thought was that Jed Hoyer and the Cubs front office would move to sign an established closer to pair with the 25-year-old Palencia. But, despite some reported minimal passes at Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley, they didn’t seem all that interested in adding that additional show-closer.
The lack of effort in that regard was more than a bit puzzling for those who noticed Palencia falling apart in real-time at the end of his first serious major league run in 2025.
The likelihood of a full-on Palencia collapse
Daniel Palencia (48) reacts after getting the final out on Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (2) against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Michael Cerami of Bleacher Nation recently pointed out the possible similarities between Palencia’s trajectory and those of recent former Cubs closers Adbert Alzolay and Porter Hodge, who went stellar to dismal from one season to the next.
Per Cerami:
“Palencia, similarly, became one of the Cubs’ highest-impact relievers and closer in 2025 (2.91 ERA, 22 saves, 3.81 K/BB) and heads into the 2026 season as the obvious choice for closer. And while I do believe Palencia’s ceiling is higher than either of those guys, I can’t honestly tell you I had dramatically less confidence in Alzolay or Hodge heading into their follow-up season.
Moreover, we all know relievers are volatile. And Palencia, with his lack of experience, short track record, increasingly fast fastball, and only recently improved control, may be the poster child for “you never know what you’re going to get.”
Incoming free agent Hunter Harvey has “closer stuff,” but he also has a substantial history of injury. Since being drafted in the first round in 2013 by the Baltimore Orioles, Harvey has been injured in every single season of his professional career. Last year with the Kansas City Royals, an assortment of injuries led to him posting only 10.2 innings.
Phil Maton also could profile into a closer role, but he only has 10 saves over the course of 9 big league seasons.
For now, it looks like Palencia is, realistically, the only candidate for the Cubs’ closer gig. That should walk the line between concerning and frightening. Not picking up closer insurance this offseason just might end up being the team’s biggest regret.
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