2025 Chicago Cubs Season Preview: Late-Inning Arms

Charles LeClaire - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - 4 hours ago

We have come to the end of our season preview series, and with that comes the most crucial piece to the 2025 Cubs. There were many reasons this team didn't make the playoffs a season ago, but blowing 41 leads from the eighth inning on, including an MLB-leading 27 saves, has to be the biggest reason.

Under no circumstances can a team overcome that and the Cubs did a great job battling out of the hole they dug themselves in to begin the season. However, this is 2025, and the Cubs know they can't let their failures of 2024 linger into 2025. That is why they made it a point to address the bullpen this off-season, especially the late-inning section.

Even with some excellent in-house options, this team hasn't had a true closer since Craig Kimbrel, and unless they went out and grabbed one, no one would take this team seriously. The Cubs were not only rumored to be in on Tanner Scott, but from all accounts, it did appear they were close to getting him, only to be beaten out by the Dodgers. The same thing happened with Kirby Yates as the Cubs continued to swing and miss for the closer they desperately needed.

Leave it to Jed Hoyer to figure out a way to change all that. He went out and traded for the second time this offseason with the Houston Astros and landed veteran Ryan Pressly, who is expected to be the closer heading into 2025. After saving 108 games with the Astros heading into 2024, Pressly wound up in the setup role as Josh Hader was brought in as their new closer.

It was a decision that Pressly didn't take too kindly to, and he went out to post one of his worst seasons in a while. Still, with four saves and a 3.49 ERA, he continued to show the value he has always had and is hoping a change of scenery can bring him back to the level he is comfortable with. Even if Pressly isn't the lockdown closer you like to see, there is no reason he can't save 30-35 games with an ERA around 3.00. That alone is more production from the closer spot than this team has had since Kimbrel, and it would be a massive win for the Cubs.

Should things not work out and Pressly struggle, look for Porter Hodge as the team's in-house option as the backup closer. Added to the roster as a call-up in late May, Hodge was nothing short of impressive as he appeared in 39 games (43 innings), posting a 1.89 ERA with 52 strikeouts.

Hodge also emerged as the team's closer down the stretch and saved nine games, including six straight at one point. He was expected to be the closer up until the Pressly signing and will now be pushed back to the setup role to open the year. Don't let that fool you. Any struggles by Pressly this season will see Hodge move to the ninth as he could lock down 15-20 games based on what Pressly does.

Adding Pressly with what Hodge can bring to the table instantly improves the back end of the Cubs pen. However, there is a name floating around as a potential X-Factor.

Enter Ben Brown, who not only had an impressive rookie season but is now entering a season with no defined role and a blank canvas to become something special.

There is no question Brown has the stuff to be one of the best, if not the best, pitcher on this entire staff. He showed it multiple times in relief and then again as a starter when he threw seven no-hit innings against the Brewers. Had it not been for a freak neck injury that ended his season, Brown was well on his way to stardom, but that injury now puts his future in jeopardy.

Despite being medically cleared to pitch this spring, you have to think the Cubs are going to take it slow with him even if they want him to start. That means a bullpen role could be coming, but given his stuff, that may not be a bad idea. Going to the pen will help Brown regain his strength and confidence, and it's the best way to capitalize on his impressive stuff.

Instead of going out throwing 90-100 pitches, the Cubs may ask Brown to give them 5-6 innings per week and unload the tank in every outing. Should that work, you could be looking at save chances in the near future as Brown has the potential to be this team's closer in the future. Regardless, the back end of the pen is in much better shape now than last season, which should lead to more wins.