Chicago Cubs bullpen may actually be in a good place ahead of 2027

The Chicago Cubs will be focusing on pitching this offseason. That was the declaration of Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer in his season wrap-up meeting with the press shortly after the team’s playoff run ended abruptly with two straight losses in San Diego.

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And, of course, the focus will be on pitching. If the team is serious about winning in 2027 they will have to rebuild the pitching staff, almost from the ground up.

The good news is that they’ll get their opportunity to do so—especially when it comes to the starting rotation—as a lot of the 2026 staff will probably not be returning for 2027.

The entire end-of-season starting rotation, for example, could be headed off to free agency. Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, and David Peterson could all be wearing different uniforms next spring. In the bullpen, Caleb Thielbar, Aaron Civale, Trent Thornton, and Hunter Harvey could be gone as well.

However, all around the silver lining that comes with money off the books and a chance to rebuild, comes the dark cloud reality that actually adding so many pieces over the course of one offseason—an offseason likely impaired by a looming labor dispute—will be a tough task to manage.

But despite the doom and gloom surrounding Chicago’s pitching as a whole, there may be some cause for cause for optimism when it comes to the bullpen.

Bullpen optimism?

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The Cubs’ 2026 bullpen was a roller coaster that overachieved at times, looked on the brink of collapse at other times, and, overall, was just subpar for a team with deep playoff aspirations. The disappointing relief corps was hobbled by injury—with three of the four free agents signed in the offseason falling at various points of the season and closer Daniel Palencia also suffering through his own injury issues.

This offseason, though, offers a chance for both a physical and mental reset. And with that reset comes a reasonable possibility that things will get a lot better in 2027.

Palencia, for example, finished the regular season looking like his old self, delivering eight straight outings without an earned run before struggling in his one playoff appearance.

Trade deadline acquisition Ryan Zeferjahn also looked to have turned things around in his last several outings after struggles.

Ryan Rolison, who came aboard via waiver acquisition, found his mojo with the Cubs and looks to be a lock for one of the lefty spots in the bullpen.

Even Jacob Webb, who imploded late in the season, was solid—and beyond—for the vast majority of the 2026 campaign, even stepping in as an emergency closer out of absolute necessity. It’s reasonable to assume that he’ll find his groove once again when he goes back to his more appropriate role as a middle reliever.

Meanwhile, veteran bullpen asset Shelby Miller, on the verge of a remarkable early comeback from Tommy John surgery late in the season, should be ready to go by the coming spring training.

Long relief and rebounds

The Cubs will also have plenty of long relief options available to them via Colin Rea (if they choose to exercise their 2027 option on him), Javier Assad, and possibly Braxton Garrett (if Garrett doesn’t make the starting rotation).

Gavin Hollowell looked really close to a next-level breakthrough in 2026. He has tremendous stuff and finished the season solidly.

There’s even some cause for optimism with veteran Phil Maton, who had a solid track record of success before bombing in his debut year with the Cubs. Knee surgery may correct the physical and mechanical flaws that led to him getting smacked around in 2026.

There are some solid building blocks in this bullpen and even if just half of them pan out, that still gives the team a solid relief base for the coming season.

Still, there will be need for at least some outside help via trade or free agency. Everyone will just have to wait and see what happens in that regard.

The post Chicago Cubs bullpen may actually be in a good place ahead of 2027 appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-bullpen-2027-preview-palencia-miller-zeferjahn-webb/