Why The Cubs Brought Back Reliever Jacob Webb

The Chicago Cubs made an easy move ahead of free agency. 

The Cubs and reliever Jacob Webb agreed to a new contract before the 2027 season. Webb signed a new one-year, $2 million contract that includes a $4 million club option for 2028. This move locks up the veteran right-hander for next season. 

The front office had to make a decision regarding Webb for the 2027 season. The Cubs had to decide whether to pick up the reliever’s $2.5 million club option. Instead, the two sides agreed to a new deal that keeps him in Chicago next season and potentially in 2028. 

Signing Webb to a one-year deal with a 2028 club option is a fantastic move. 

The 33-year-old veteran was one of the team’s most consistent relievers in 2026. Although Webb had a rough stretch late in the year, getting him back for only $2 million is a good move by the front office. 

Webb finished the 2026 season with a 3.36 ERA, 1.254 WHIP, 73 strikeouts, and nine saves over 67 innings pitched. His 3.36 ERA marked the third consecutive year that the right-hander has posted a sub-3.40 ERA. He had a 3.02 ERA with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 and a 3.00 ERA with the Texas Rangers in 2025. 

Webb got off to a fast start in his first season with the Cubs. He posted a 2.21 ERA and a 27.1% strikeout rate in his first 57 appearances, which included throwing 24 ⅔ straight scoreless innings from June 24 to August 21. 

Unfortunately, the veteran struggled a bit down the stretch. Webb allowed 11 runs across 6 ⅔ innings (14.45 ERA) from August 22 to September 15. He gave up multiple runs in five of those eight appearances and soon lost his job as the team’s closer. 

That stretch, though, shouldn’t take away from the job that Webb did throughout the 2026 campaign. He was consistent for most of the year and stepped up in the first half when injuries piled up. Webb was one of the reasons that the Cubs stayed afloat early in the year. 

Bringing back Webb was an easy decision. He should operate in the high-leverage role for this Cubs team again and should be a key part of this bullpen. 

Expect Chicago to either bring in a closer this offseason or stick with Daniel Palencia in that ninth-inning role. Webb is definitely better suited as a setup man.