The Cubs had 12 different pitchers save a game this past season. While a handful of those saves were three-inning appearances from Aaron Civale, Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks, Colin Rea, and Chris Flexen, there were really four pitchers who Craig Counsell leaned on in these situations. 

Ryan Pressly started the year as the team’s closer, but he quickly lost that job after giving up nine runs (eight earned runs) in an extra-innings game against the San Francisco Giants in early May. 

Then, Counsell rolled with Daniel Palencia in that closer role shortly after Pressly lost the job. Palencia earned his first save on May 21 and was Chicago’s closer for most of the season until he went down with a shoulder injury in early September. 

That led to Andrew Kittredge (five sacks) and Brad Keller (three saves) splitting some save opportunities down the stretch. Keller then got most of the save chances in the postseason, with Palencia working in more high-leverage spots in the fifth/sixth innings. 

So, who will be the Cubs' closer next season? Let’s dive into a few options of players who could lead Chicago in saves in 2026. 

Palencia was really fantastic in that closer role for the Cubs this past season. He converted 22 of 25 save opportunities and emerged as one of the best arms in Chicago’s bullpen. He finished his breakout season with a 2.91 ERA and 61 strikeouts across 52 ⅔ innings. 

Although Palencia didn’t earn that closer job back once he returned from a shoulder injury in late September, that might have been more to do with easing him back into action. 

Therefore, Palencia is clearly the favorite right now to be the Cubs’ closer in 2026. He looked comfortable in that role this past year and was almost untouchable in close ninth-inning games. From May 21 to August 1, Palencia went a perfect 15-for-15 on save opportunities while having just a 0.75 ERA during that span. 

Neither Robert Suarez nor Edwin Diaz is technically a free agent just yet. Both can opt out of their current deals to become free agents this offseason. Suarez can opt out of his two-year, $16 million deal, while Diaz can become a free agent if he declines his two-year, $37 million player option. 

The expectation is that both closers will opt out of those deals this winter. That means both Suarez and Diaz could become free agents this offseason, and they should have plenty of suitors in free agency. 

One of those suitors could be the Cubs. 

Jed Hoyer almost signed Tanner Scott to a massive deal last offseason before the left-hander signed with the Dodgers. Well, Hoyer could decide to go after another big-time closer this offseason by signing either Suarez or Diaz. 

Suarez led the National League with 40 saves in 2025, and Diaz was unhittable in that closer role for the Mets with a 1.63 ERA and 28 saves. Acquiring one of these two closers would make a massive difference for the Cubs’ bullpen next season. 

While acquiring Suarez or Diaz would certainly make the Cubs’ bullpen better, Chicago is better off saving that money for a position player or a starting pitcher. Both Suarez and Diaz are projected to receive contracts of over $80 million. 

The Cubs shouldn’t invest that type of money in a closer, especially considering the front office already doesn’t spend much money in free agency as it is. For that reason, Palencia should remain the team’s closer in 2026.