Chicago Cubs Showing Interest in Intriguing Free Agent Veteran Reliever

Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs have been busy throughout the MLB offseason. However, there are still some areas that they’re looking to improve even more.

Obviously, the biggest move of the offseason so far has been the blockbuster trade for superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker. The Cubs also traded star first baseman and outfielder Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees.

Outside of those two moves, Chicago has made a flurry of other roster additions.

Matthew Boyd was signed to bolster the rotation and the Cubs have added some relief pitchers as well.

Eli Morgan was acquired in a trade and they have signed Ben Heller, Caleb Thielbar, Brooks Kriske, Phil Bickford, Christopher Aranguren, Luis Mata, Anhuar Garcia, Anthony Feliz, Darlin Ventura, Jose Urena, Jubrayker Salaya, and Geovanny Villarroel all to minor league contracts.

Most of those signings won’t end up working out, but they’re worth taking a look at.

Now, Chicago is showing interest in another intriguing left-handed relief pitcher.

According to a report from The Athletic, the Cubs and Yankees have both shown interest in 36-year-old reliever Brooks Raley.

Raley is coming off of Tommy John surgery that he had back in May of last year. He’s hoping to get back on the mound by the start of July.

During the 2023 season with the New York Mets, Raley ended up appearing in 66 games. He compiled a 1-2 record to go along with a 2.80 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, a 2.4 K/BB ratio, 25 holds, three saves, and three blown saves.

When he is healthy, Raley is capable of being a quality bullpen option. Whoever ends up signing him will have to wait until the middle of the season to potentially get him back, but he could be a sleeper addition.

Chicago could not make a mistake by bringing in more bullpen arms. The team struggled with consistency out of the bullpen last season and cannot afford to have the same issues in 2025.

All of that being said, Raley could be a name to keep an eye on. If he can bounce back strong from his Tommy John surgery, he could end up being an impact piece in the second half of the year.

Related Posts

White Sox Duo Featured On Baseball America’s Top 20 AFL Prospect List

Baseball America has released its Top 20 prospects from the Arizona Fall League, and a pair of White Sox earned spots on the list.

Braves’ Marcell Ozuna linked to AL team after latest MLB trade

Ozuna would be a nice addition for the AL squad looking for talent.

Aѕtroѕ Lіnked to 3.20 ERA Lefty Amіd Frаmber Vаldez Uncertаіnty

The Houston Astros are staring down a pivotal offseason, and one of the biggest storylines involves the uncertain future of Framber Valdez. After a rocky 2025 campaign and what…

Cotillo: Does Sonny Gray trade signal Red Sox are done with big-name rotation additions?

The Red Sox began their offseason with a clear need for a No. 2 starter. Is Sonny Gray that guy?

Cubs’ Sneaky $8.45M Pitching Power Grab: Locking Down Steele & Assad’s Ace Duo While Hoarding Cash for a $300M Bat Bombshell

CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago Cubs’ offseason took a revealing turn when the club made their tender decisions on arbitration-eligible players. While the moves to tender contracts to pitchers Justin Steele and Javier Assad appeared routine, the underlying financial calculus has become a crucial window into the front office’s long-term budget strategy for 2026 and …

Cardinals’ Post-Gray Fire Sale Bombshell: Arenado Trade – or Total Release – Locked In to Torch $42M Albatross and Ignite Rebuild Inferno!

The St. Louis Cardinals made a big move on Tuesday, but it can’t be the final one.