Despite a strong free-agent market, Daniel Palencia solidifies his role. His elite fastball and strikeout prowess make him the Cubs' undeniable closer.
There were some question marks this offseason about who would be the Chicago Cubs' closer this upcoming season. Many believed that the team would be looking to target a closer in a strong free agent class.
Edwin Diaz, Devin Williams, Robert Suarez, Ryan Helsley, and Raisel Iglesias were some of the top closers available on the open market at the beginning of the offseason. One by one, though, those closers went off the board.
Even though the Cubs were very active in the relief pitcher market this offseason, it’s pretty evident who will be the team’s closer to begin the 2026 season. That role will likely be filled by Daniel Palencia again.
Chicago signed five relievers to Major League deals this offseason. Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Caleb Thielbar, Jacob Webb, and Hunter Harvey were the five relievers that the Cubs acquired in free agency. Those five pitchers combined for just five saves in 2025.
With the Cubs not adding a typical closer to their bullpen, Palencia should start the season as the team’s ninth-inning closer.
And that’s the right move.
Once Palencia took over as the full-time closer for the Cubs last year, he was really locked down in that role. He converted 14 of his first 15 save opportunities from May 19 to July 30 while carrying a 1.52 ERA and 27 strikeouts across 23 ⅔ innings pitched.
Although Palencia struggled a bit in the second half, he was one of the bigger breakout pitchers on the team in 2025. He finished with a 2.91 ERA and 61 strikeouts across 54 appearances and saved 22 of 25 games in that closer role.
So, Palencia is much deserving of being the team's closer again. He has an elite fastball that ranks in the 99th percentile in average velocity, and his above-average strikeout numbers play well in this spot. He finished with an impressive 28.4% strikeout rate last season.
The hard-throwing right-hander is also the most equipped to be the Cubs’ closer this year. He has the most saves of any current reliever on the team, and his stuff plays well in that role. Opposing hitters batted just .216 against his four-seam fastball in 2025.
Now, the key for him this upcoming season will be maintaining consistency in that ninth-role spot for the entire year. After dominating in the first half of last season, Palencia had an 8.74 ERA across 14 appearances from August 3 to September 7.
If he can clean that up, he could emerge as one of the top closers in the game in 2026.