"Low risk, high reward"; "Brad Keller replacement" - Cubs fans go wild over $4.6B franchise's 1-year Hunter Harvey deal

The Chicago Cubs' plan of rebuilding their bullpen from almost from scratch saw more progress with the $4.6 billion valued team reportedly signing Hunter Harvey on Saturday. This was their bullpen addition in the offseason after several reliever arms elected free agency.

Hunter Harvey 10-11 with a 3.11 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 185 innings in a seven-season MLB career with three different teams. Initially with the Baltimore Orioles, Harvey's breakthrough seasons came in 2022 and 2023 with the Washington Nationals, pitching a combined 2.70 ERA during those seasons.

Injuries in 2024, which came back during this year, halted his progress as he was reduced to just 12 appearances for the Kansas City Royals, earning a 0.00 ERA over 10.2 innings.

Barring any injury setbacks, Harvey is expected to regain his elite form in 2026. His signing was well received by Cubs fans on social media.

Here are a few reactions from X:

"Low risk, high reward signing by the Cubs," a fan said. "Just like that there’s the Brad Keller replacement," a fan wrote. "This move gets me more excited than any woman ever could," a fan joked. "I tip my cap to Jed Hoyer. Whoever he is listening too, keep it up. These are some quality signings that add up to a Edwin Diaz contract. 5 arms versus 1," a fan commented. "Intrigued by this… high velo on a presumably nice budget deal. Trust the Cubs infrastructure that they see something they love here. Why not? Pen needs some velo badly," a fan opined. "Good pickup if he stays healthy," a fan added.

Chicago Cubs unique bullpen building strategy taking shape

Cubs relievers - Taylor Rogers, Brad Keller, Aaron Civale, Michael Soroka, Ryan Brasier, Caleb Thielbar, and Drew Pomeranz - who were part of the bullpen that recorded a 3.78 ERA, which finished 5th in the National League and 11th overall, all elected free agency at the end of the 2025 season.

Instead of trying to secure a particular big name like Edwin Diaz or Devil Williams, president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, has opted for multiple arms to do a combined job.

They got Phil Maton to a two-year contract last month, and added Hoby Milner on Dec. 16 and Jacob Webb on Dec. 23. Of the names that left, Caleb Thielbar was re-signed by the club, a day after Milner was added.

With Hunter Harvey reportedly earning $6 million on his one-year contract, the combined value for the five bullpen arms comes to $23 million, the same amount that the Los Angeles Dodgers will pay Diaz next season.

Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy