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Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell
The Chicago Cubs and manager Craig Counsell are entering the 2026 MLB season with big-time expectations after putting together an aggressive offseason.
Over the last couple of years, Jed Hoyer and the front office have taken a much more passive approach. Fans were worried that the team would continue taking that path this offseason. However, that wasn’t the case.
With spring training getting underway, the Cubs come out of the offseason as one of the biggest winners in baseball. They were able to pull off a big trade to acquire starting pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins and also made a free agency splash by signing star third baseman Alex Bregman.
At least for now, Chicago looks the part of a legitimate World Series contender.
That being said, the Cubs have some decisions to make. Counsell made one of those big decisions just ahead of spring training.
Chicago Cubs’ Craig Counsell Makes Key Decision Before Spring Training
Counsell hadn’t finalized who his closer was going to be entering the 2026 season. That answer has now been given.
As shared by Jesse Rogers of ESPN, Chicago’s skipper made it very clear that Daniel Palencia is the Cubs’ closer this season.
“I asked Craig Counsell if Daniel Palencia would get the ninth inning if the reg season was starting now,” Rogers wrote on X. “Instead of the usual “we have outs-getter” answer, he simply said ‘Yes.’”
Palencia thrived last season with Chicago. After beginning the season with Ryan Pressly as the team’s closer, it was quickly clear that the Cubs needed to make a change. They had multiple pitchers perform in the closer role, but Palencia did enough to prove that he should anchor the ninth inning in 2026.
What Should the Cubs Expect From Daniel Palencia This Season?
Throughout the course of the 2025 MLB season with Chicago, the 26-year-old pitcher appeared in 54 games. He went 1-6 with a 2.91 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, a 3.8 K/BB ratio, 22 saves, six holds, and three blown saves in 52.2 innings of work.
His 2025 season was by far the best of his young career. In his two previous seasons with the Cubs, Palencia hadn’t looked nearly as dominant on the mound.
Keeping that in mind, RotoWire has shared their projections for Palencia’s 2026 campaign.
Unfortunately for the Cubs, they are projecting that Palencia will record a 3-6 record, a 4.02 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and 23 saves. Those numbers aren’t exactly inspiring, although they are just projections that the young pitcher will have a chance to prove entirely wrong.
Hopefully, Palencia will be able to finally solidify the closer role for Chicago. The Cubs have been needing consistency in that role over the last few years.
There have been flashes that suggest he is ready for the responsibility, but he’ll need to prove it throughout the upcoming season.
Evan Massey Evan Massey is a sports reporter and analyst located in Indianapolis, Indiana who covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports. He has been featured on many publications, including Newsweek, Athlon Sports, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Sporting News, and many others. In his free time, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife and son. More about Evan Massey
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