MLB rumors: Cubs interested in top reliever on free agent market

Jed Hoyer knows the Cubs roster isn’t a finished product.

“We’re definitely focused on the bullpen, focused on our bench,” Hoyer said Friday before the start of Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. “Try to supplement the roster as much as we can the rest of the way.

“A lot of good players are still out there, and we’ll probably be working on that until we report and maybe even after that.”

[Where the Cubs bullpen stands two months before Opening Day]

On the relief front, the Cubs have added plenty of volume — but still lack some experience. But they could be looking for a big fish to fill that role. The team remains one of the top suiters for lefty reliever Tanner Scott, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.

Scott was one of the premier relievers in baseball last year. He had a 1.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 72 appearances with Miami and San Diego, racking up 22 saves. He was part of a 6-player blockbuster trade at this past deadline from the Marlins to the Padres.

It’s his second straight year of posting strong relief numbers. In 2023 with Miami, he had a 2.31 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 74 appearances. He has 55 career saves — 54 of which have come since 2022.

The Cubs have made it an effort to stock up their bullpen with plenty of arms. But they lack a bonafide closer. Porter Hodge developed into that role in his rookie campaign in 2024, picking up 9 saves. On the 40-man roster, Hodge has the most saves of any other pitcher.

Adding Scott would solidify that spot and give manager Craig Counsell plenty of options that he can rely on in leverage situations. Beyond Hodge, Counsell relied on righties Tyson Miller and Nate Pearson down the stretch. The team added veteran options this offseason in lefty Caleb Thielbar and Eli Morgan among others.