The front office restocked a depleted bullpen with four free agent signings and the re-signing of Caleb Thielbar.<\/p>\n
They also pulled the trigger on the big trade to acquire emerging powerhouse starter Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins and bit the bullet to retain Shota Imanaga for one more season via $22 million qualifying offer.<\/p>\n
Flying under the radar a bit, though, was their move to stockpile quality arms via minor league deals and fringe roster additions. During the offseason, the Cubs added a mini legion of pitchers with the potential of rebounding into major league assets and will likely sit on most as a reserve for when they might need pitching help.<\/p>\n
One of those among the stockpile is Kyle Wright.<\/p>\n
A 21-game winner opts for minor Cubs spot
\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/USATSI_21398136-853x600.jpg\"\/)
Sep 11, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kyle Wright (30) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
More News: Chicago Cubs: Dansby Swanson is killing the ball after rewired hitting approach<\/a><\/p>\n The 30-year-old was once a well-regarded prospect who had finally managed to breakthrough to big league success in 2022 with the Atlanta Braves, posting a 21-5 record and a 3.19 ERA in 30 starts. Subsequent injuries, though, ruined his career momentum and ultimately led to him becoming an unheralded free agent trying to come back after two full seasons away from the majors.<\/p>\n Despite his status as a down-on-his-luck pitcher looking to come back from shoulder surgery, he still had options. Teams wanted him. There was the possibility that he\u2019d even find a spot on someone\u2019s 26-man roster come Opening Day.<\/p>\n Instead, he chose to sign a minor league deal with the Cubs\u2013 a team with an overflow of starting pitching and little discernible path to a major league roster spot. He picked the Cubs because he believed they offered him the best opportunity to get his pitching mojo back, even if it came at the Triple-A level.<\/p>\n Wright saw Cubs as the perfect fit, even if it\u2019s at Triple-A \u201cI knew there was crazy competition in this locker room and maybe I could have signed somewhere else and had a better opportunity out of the gate, but for me it\u2019s about how do we get back healthy and if I get back healthy then everything\u2019s going to take care of itself,\u201d Wright told The Chicago Tribune<\/a>. \u201cBecause I know that I\u2019m capable, I\u2019ve got to get there first. So I knew they weren\u2019t going to rush me. They were going to put the best plan in place to get me back to my previous self.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n Chicago\u2019s overstuffed pitching staff meant that Wright could take his time and immerse himself in the work of a coaching staff renowned for its ability to breathe new life into struggling major league arms.<\/p>\n Wright has opt-outs built into his Cubs contract\u2013 one that would allow him to leave after spring training\u2013 but it\u2019s believed that he will stay on and be sent to continue his comeback in Iowa.<\/p>\n The Cubs\u2019 best recruiting tool The Cubs\u2019 recent successes with the likes of Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz have not gone unnoticed and the organization\u2019s positive reputation is working as a recruiting tool to attract quality arms in search of a second big league chance.<\/p>\n Shortstop Dansby Swanson recently commented on this dynamic in an interview with the Foul Territory podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cUnderstanding how to get the most out of guys\u2026I think you\u2019ve really seen that on the pitching side, which has been its own recruiting tool,\u201d Swanson said. \u201cJust guys that have been able to come back from some injuries or from a year or two of what they feel like is a subpar performance and being able to find themselves again and make some money from it. I think that\u2019s a recruiting tool of its own\u2026Just guys getting better coming to Chicago.<\/p>\n For the Cubs, a guy like Wright is money in the bank for possible use later on in the season. It\u2019s also pretty smart to keep promising starters with a history of prior big league success close to the team with pitchers Jameson Taillon and Imanaga due to be free agents at the end of the season and Matthew Boyd staring down a mutual option for 2027.<\/p>\n How did Daniel Palencia do vs Netherlands in World Baseball Classic pool play? \t\tFor More Great Chicago Sports Content<\/p>\n Get the latest Chicago sports news, analysis, and breaking stories on the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News<\/a>, so you never miss a story on your favorite Chicago teams.<\/p>\n Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23<\/a> for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE <\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/USATSI_28259643-400x600.jpg\"\/)
Feb 17, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Wright (54) poses for photo day at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1764190511_945_USATSI_27277012-900x600.jpg\"\/)
Oct 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Brad Keller (40) celebrates after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/USATSI_27213214-scaled-e1771693585775.jpg\"\/)
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