The Cubs’ bullpen questions start with these two arms

David Banks - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 3 hours ago

Say what you will about the Cubs and their bullpen issues in the past. Jed Hoyer deserves some credit for what he was able to do with this pen last season as they went from being the biggest question mark on this roster to the single most important unit. Despite that, it wasn't always perfect, and it didn't come without the struggles, as the first month of the season saw more of the same from the Cubs pen before they started to come together as a group.

A lot of that had to do with the unsung heroes Drew Pomeranz, Caleb Thielbar, and Brad Keller, who were signed to one-year flyer deals with the hopes of the Cubs turning them around. Not only did that happen, but these three emerged as the most trusted options for the Cubs' pen down the stretch last season as they were dominant at times.

The problem is, much like the rest of the Cubs pen from last season, all three men are now free agents as the Cubs currently have Porter Hodge, Phil Maton, and Daniel Palencia as their lone bullpen options for the season. You could throw Javier Assad in there as well, but it's going to take more than four guys to keep the Cubs competitive this season.

For today's question about the Cubs roster, two names added to the Cubs bullpen are being discussed as possible retainments, as they played a role in the Cubs' late-season success. Although not the flashiest of names, you could make the case for either of them to come back, as Aaron Civale and Michael Soroka are two question marks for this team to answer.

Primarily starters for most of their careers, both men moved to the bullpen this past season and, for the most part, had success. Soroka spent time in the bullpen during the 2024 season with the White Sox, and given how dominant he was for them, you have to wonder if that is where his future lies beyond this season.

Civale, on the other hand, has always been a starter up until he landed with the Cubs. Unwilling to pitch out of the pen with the Brewers or White Sox last season, Civale didn't have a choice on the Northside, but was rewarded then with a handful of impressive performances, leaving the door open for a similar role next season. Every team needs those fringe/long relief options who could be spot starts, and both guys can offer that for this team.

Looking at Soroka for a minute, he would be the most likely candidate to return to the Cubs. The biggest reason for that is his overall upside, but he was also the Cubs' main pitching acquisition at the deadline, only to get hurt in his first appearance. That meant that the Cubs got next to nothing out of him, but when he did appear in games, he proved he still had something left in the tank.

Typically, someone who was sitting in the 92-93 MPH range with his heater, Soroka had some concerning flags in his first appearance with the Cubs as he barely touched 91 with his fastball. Two innings later, he left with a shoulder injury and was lost for most of the remaining two months. Once he came back, he started to show signs of life as that fastball got back to the 97 MPH he was accustomed to once he settled into a relief role.

Although he appeared in six games, they were impressive nonetheless, as Soroka posted a 1.06 ERA. This is one of those guys you would like to give another chance, knowing how good he's already been out of the pen. Civale is an even bigger question mark, and coming off the season he had is going to be one of the hardest free agents to discuss.

On paper, his 4-9 season with the 4.85 ERA was one of his worst as a pro, and that alone won't get you many looks. However, it was his work out of the pen with the Cubs that will, as Civale not only showed he can be a reliever, but a good one at that if given the chance. In five games with the Cubs after being picked up as a waiver claim, Civale looked as good as he has in years, giving the Cubs 13 innings of work and posting a solid 2.08 ERA.

What stood out even more was his overpowering stuff and command as Civale struck out 14 batters in his 13 innings to go with no walks. You heard that right, Civale didn't walk a batter during his time with the Cubs, and the way he pitched was what the Cubs were hoping Ben Brown would do for this team. Neither of these men may have a massive market, but they will have a market, and perhaps it's with the Cubs as a late-offseason add.