The Chicago Cubs are in the market for some bullpen help. With most of last year’s bullpen hitting free agency, the front office will need to replace those relievers this offseason.
The Cubs already got a head start in this area by signing reliever Phil Maton to a multi-year deal in the middle of November. We can expect Chicago to continue to add high-leverage arms to their bullpen in the coming weeks.
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Although the North Siders aren’t expected to go after top bullpen arms like Robert Suarez and Edwin Diaz, they could find themselves going after the Tier 2 relievers this offseason. Someone like Devin Williams could be the perfect fit for this team.
For starters, Cubs manager Craig Counsell is very familiar with Williams from his time with the Milwaukee Brewers. Counsell watched the right-hander blossom into a dominant reliever in the league.
From 2020 to 2023, Williams allowed just 39 runs across 200 ⅓ innings pitched (1.75 ERA) to go with 323 strikeouts and 54 saves. He was a large reason why the Brewers were content with trading away Josh Hader back in 2022.
We also know that Counsell loves to get back some of his former players. Drew Pomeranz was a Brewer for half of a season in 2019, and Colin Rea spent a few years in Milwaukee when Counsell was the manager there.
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Additionally, Williams might cost less than some fans imagine.
The 31-year-old is coming off the worst season of his career, finishing with a 4.79 ERA and 90 strikeouts across 62 innings pitched. It certainly was a disappointing 2025 campaign for Williams in his only season with the New York Yankees.
Therefore, Williams might not get the contract that he previously wanted in free agency. That could lead to the right-hander signing a one-year deal this offseason.
If the two-time All-Star does decide that a one-year contract is the best way to go, the Cubs should be all in on him in free agency. Even though Williams posted subpar numbers in 2025, his metrics suggest a bounce-back season could be in store.
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His expected ERA (3.09) was 170 points lower than his actual ERA (4.79), and his expected batting average against (.195), chase rate (35%), whiff rate (37.7%), and strikeout rate (34.7%) all ranked in the 95th percentile or better this past year.
So, Williams could very well be a target for the Cubs this offseason. He has a relationship with Counsell, and his poor 2025 numbers could lead him right to the Windy City.
