Cubs Add Relief Depth with Signing of Phil Maton
The Chicago Cubs are reportedly signing right-handed reliever Phil Maton, addressing a need in their bullpen following the free agency departure of Brad Keller and the trade of Andrew Kittredge to Baltimore. The move bolsters a relief corps that will again lean on Daniel palencia as the primary closer, with Maton expected to contribute in high-leverage situations alongside Porter Hodge.
Maton, a veteran known for his pitch mix and ability to limit hard contact, provides a reliable arm for manager Craig Counsell. While he struggled in a limited playoff appearance last season, allowing six earned runs in 6 1/3 innings with four home runs, Maton has consistently demonstrated success throughout his career by prioritizing his curveball – used 38.2% of the time last year – and a variety of off-speed pitches. His cutter, curveball, and sweeper all registered whiff rates above 32% in 2023.
Throughout his career, Maton has limited hitters to a 29.9% hard-hit rate, ranking in the 98th percentile or better in hard-hit rate, barrel rate, and average exit velocity last season. His arrival fills a clear roster gap for the Cubs, who currently have a projected payroll of around $177 million for 2026, leaving potential versatility for further bullpen additions. The team has exceeded $200 million in payroll for the past two seasons. With Luke Little and Jordan Wicks possessing limited big-league experience, the Cubs may also consider pursuing a veteran left-handed reliever.