Chicago adds another underrated arm. Webb's success limiting hard contact and recent dominance could make him a valuable bullpen piece.
The Chicago Cubs continue to add to their bullpen.
Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reported that the Cubs reached a one-year deal with right-handed reliever Jacob Webb. Webb is set to make $1.5 million in 2026 and has a club option for $2.5 million for the 2027 season.
The Cubs needed to be very active in the bullpen market this offseason, with more than half of their relievers leaving in free agency. The front office has done a good job adding some talent to that position group heading into the season.
Webb now marks Chicago’s fourth bullpen addition in free agency -- joining Caleb Thielbar, Phil Maton, and Hoby Milner.
While Webb isn’t a big name on the free-agent market, this is another underrated bullpen addition by Jed Hoyer. The 32-year-old has had plenty of success on the mound in recent years, which included a strong 2025 campaign with the Texas Rangers.
The right-hander finished with a 3.00 ERA, a 1.030 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts across 66 innings pitched. He pitched in multiple different roles for the Rangers this past season and was untouchable down the stretch. Webb had a 0.54 ERA with 19 strikeouts over his last 16 ⅔ innings pitched.
If there is one thing that Hoyer does well, it’s finding underrated relievers. This has become a staple of his since taking over as the president of baseball operations for the Cubs. Last year, Hoyer found diamonds in the rough in Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz, and Thielbar.
This offseason, Webb could be that hidden gem at the reliever position.
He has finished with a sub-3.05 ERA in back-to-back seasons, and his 2025 metrics suggest another dominant season could be in store. Webb ranked in the upper half of the league in expected ERA (3.09), expected batting average against (.216), chase rate (30.3%), whiff rate (27.6%), and barrel rate (5.9%).
So, this is a nice signing for the Cubs. Webb has spent six seasons in the Major Leagues and has done a good job limiting hard contact over the past few years. His hard-hit rate has ranked in the 80th percentile or better in consecutive seasons.
Targeting pitchers who limit hard contact is definitely on the Cubs’ radar this offseason, considering Maton (30.7%), Thielbar (31.8%), Webb (34.6%), and Milner (36.8%) were all excellent in that category in 2025.
Webb will now join a bullpen that headlines Thielbar, Maton, Milner, and Daniel Palenica. Even with this latest signing, the Cubs should still be in the market to add a few more bullpen arms this winter.