Cubs Bring Back Jacob Webb on One-Year Deal

The Chicago Cubs made their first move to improve their pitching staff for 2027 by bringing back right-handed reliever Jacob Webb. The one-year deal includes a club option for 2028. Its reported terms are $2 million for next season, followed by a $4 million option and a $500,000 buyout.

Webb, 33, emerged as manager Craig Counsell’s go-to reliever after closer Daniel Palencia missed much of the season with an injury. Webb put together 24 straight scoreless appearances and led the Cubs with nine saves. He finished with a 3.36 ERA across 67 innings, striking out 73 batters.

His season ended poorly, however. Webb blew four saves in his final 11 outings and had a 9.90 ERA over that stretch. The late struggles followed a strong summer and contributed to frustration over a bullpen that finished with a 3.90 ERA.

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said he had done a poor job building the bullpen and that the pitchers acquired the previous offseason had not performed as they had a year earlier. The team is expected to devote considerable attention to its pitching staff this offseason, including the relief corps. Webb’s return is its first step.

The Cubs also claimed right-hander Eric Orze off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Orze had a 5.66 ERA in 2026, after posting a 3.02 ERA in 33 appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025.