Hunter Harvey Signs with the Chicago Cubs: A High-Upside Addition to the Bullpen

The Chicago Cubs made another key move to strengthen their bullpen, adding veteran right-hander Hunter Harvey on a one-year deal worth $6 million, with an additional $1.5 million available in performance-based incentives. The move, first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, comes at a time when the Cubs are looking to revamp their relief pitching staff after a number of departures.

A Look at Hunter Harvey’s Career

At 31 years old, Harvey is a player with considerable upside, provided he can stay healthy—a factor that has often plagued him throughout his career. Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles as the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, Harvey’s career has been marked by flashes of brilliance and bouts with injury. Despite his struggles with injuries, Harvey has managed to post a solid career ERA of 3.11 across 185 innings in the Major Leagues. His career spans stints with the Orioles, Washington Nationals, and Kansas City Royals, where he’s been known for his ability to strike out hitters at a high rate, fanning 201 batters in those 185 innings.

Best Stretch of His Career: Washington Nationals (2022-2024)

Hunter Harvey’s most impressive stretch came during his time with the Washington Nationals from 2022 to 2024. Over that span, he posted a respectable 3.17 ERA while striking out nearly 28% of batters faced. He also demonstrated his ability to handle high-leverage situations, including closing games and earning save opportunities. His electric fastball, capable of reaching the upper 90s, combined with a sharp curveball, made him particularly effective against right-handed hitters. This skill set, when healthy, has made Harvey a valuable late-inning option, one that could provide stability in the Cubs’ bullpen as they aim to return to contention.

The Health Concerns: A Lingering Issue

Unfortunately, the biggest question mark surrounding Hunter Harvey has always been his health. After a promising 2024 season, Harvey’s 2025 campaign with the Kansas City Royals was significantly hindered by injuries. He began the season on the injured list with a teres major strain, keeping him sidelined from April to late July. He returned to action but then suffered a Grade 2 adductor strain in August, further limiting his availability. In total, he appeared in just 12 games, throwing only 10.2 innings. However, there was a silver lining—during those 12 games, Harvey did not allow a run, striking out 11 batters and walking just one. While the limited workload left many questions unanswered, Harvey’s performance when healthy was undeniably impressive.

The concerns about Harvey’s ability to stay healthy are far from new. Prior to his time with the Royals, Harvey battled several back issues and a long history of injuries dating back to his prospect days with the Orioles. This extensive injury history leaves some doubts about whether he can be counted on for a full, healthy season, but it also presents a potential upside for the Cubs if Harvey can rediscover his form.

Rebuilding the Cubs’ Bullpen 

For Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, rebuilding the bullpen has been a priority this offseason. In addition to signing Harvey, the Cubs have bolstered their relief pitching with other key acquisitions, including Phil Maton, who signed a two-year, $14.5 million deal, and a few low-cost options such as Hoby Milner and Jacob Webb. The Cubs also brought back Caleb Thielbar, adding depth and experience to a bullpen that will play a critical role in their push for a playoff spot in 2025.

Harvey’s signing is a low-risk, high-reward move that could pay dividends if he stays healthy. With his fastball velocity and ability to handle late-inning situations, Harvey gives the Cubs another potential weapon in their bullpen, especially considering the team’s current lack of pure velocity in its relief corps. If Harvey can stay on the field and return to the form he showed in Washington, he could become a valuable piece in the Cubs’ bullpen, capable of pitching in crucial moments when the game is on the line.

Hunter Harvey and the Cubs’ Late-Inning Plans

Daniel Palencia, a promising young arm, is expected to handle most of the closing duties for the Cubs in 2025. However, the addition of Harvey provides manager Craig Counsell with another late-inning option, adding flexibility and depth to the bullpen. Counsell is known for his heavy reliance on his relievers, often mixing and matching depending on matchups and game situations. Harvey’s potential gives Counsell another tool to use, making the Cubs’ bullpen more unpredictable and harder for opposing teams to game-plan against.

The Cubs’ bullpen rework is a strategic approach to building depth and stability without breaking the bank. With no blockbuster moves looming on the horizon, Chicago has chosen to bet on reliable depth and upside, adding a mix of experienced relievers and younger arms with potential. The signing of Harvey is just one part of this larger plan, and while it’s too early to tell how successful this strategy will be, the Cubs are clearly taking steps to fortify their pitching staff for the upcoming season.

A Quiet but Important Move for the Cubs’ Future

In the bigger picture, the addition of Hunter Harvey may not be the most headline-grabbing move of the offseason, but it’s one that could have a significant impact on the Cubs’ 2025 season. While the team continues to rebuild and recover from recent mediocre years, Harvey provides them with another arm who could contribute in high-leverage situations, especially in the late innings when games are often won or lost.

For a team trying to contend in the competitive NL Central, every move counts, and adding a player like Harvey could make all the difference. His ability to stay healthy will be crucial, but if the Cubs can manage his workload and get the best out of him, he could be a key factor in their quest to make a deeper playoff run.

The Cubs’ bullpen makeover, though quiet, is a solid step toward building a competitive team. By addressing one of their biggest needs with the addition of Hunter Harvey, the Cubs are adding a potential difference-maker who, when healthy, could provide them with an edge in their pursuit of a playoff spot. For a team with postseason aspirations, this could be just the kind of move they need to elevate their bullpen and solidify their chances in the 2025 season.