At this point in the offseason, it feels like the Chicago Cubs are interested in most of the big-time free agents. They have already been linked to players like Alex Bregman, Ranger Suarez, Michael King, Zac Gallen, Tatsuya Imai, and Eugenio Suarez.
Cubs fans can now add one more name to that list, as the front office appears to be interested in adding a closer this offseason. MLB insider Francys Romero lists Chicago as a potential fit for former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez.
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“Hearing from the Winter Meetings that the Cubs are still exploring the closer market, with Robert Suárez as one of the ideal candidates,” Romero wrote in an X post.
It’s not a shocker that the Cubs will be looking to add more bullpen pieces after most of the team’s relievers from last year are currently free agents. Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar, and Drew Pomeranz are all big losses for Chicago’s bullpen.
However, it is a bit surprising that the Cubs are showing some interest in Suarez.
He is one of the top available closers on the open market this offseason, alongside former New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz. That means it’s not going to be cheap to sign a reliever of his caliber. According to Spotrac, Suarez’s market value is set at three years, $61 million.
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Now, fans have seen the Cubs go after top bullpen arms in the past. Last offseason, they were in the running to sign left-hander Tanner Scott before he took a four-year, $72 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chicago supposedly offered Scott a four-year, $66 million contract.
So, the Cubs’ interest in Suarez is encouraging. They could immediately solve the backend of their bullpen by signing a closer who has a combined 2.87 ERA, 134 strikeouts, and 76 saves over the past two seasons.
But it’s hard to imagine the front office investing that much money in a closer when the team might only spend $50 to $60 million more on this year’s payroll. If Suarez signs for around $20 million per season, that leaves the Cubs with only $30 to $40 million left to spend for 2026.
That’s why there’s a strong chance this interest in Suarez doesn’t materialize into anything. Craig Kimbrel is the highest-paid reliever in the team’s history after he signed a three-year, $43 million deal back in 2019, and the Cubs might not be ready to give out a contract bigger than that to a reliever.
For that reason, it would be quite a shock to see the Cubs actually sign Suarez to a multi-year deal this offseason.
