The Chicago Cubs have taken a strategic step to deepen their bullpen options for the upcoming 2026 Major League Baseball season. The franchise has reportedly reached an agreement with experienced right-handed pitcher Hunter Harvey, a move that is currently awaiting official confirmation following a standard physical examination.
A Season Marred by Injuries
The 2025 campaign proved to be a difficult one for Hunter Harvey, now 31 years old. His time with the Kansas City Royals was severely limited, as he managed to appear in just 12 games due to a series of physical setbacks. His season was interrupted early by a teres major strain, which kept him off the field from April until late July. Just as he returned, a Grade 2 adductor strain brought his year to a premature end in September.
However, in his brief window of health, Harvey's performance was nothing short of dominant. Across 10 and two-thirds innings, he did not allow a single run. He demonstrated exceptional control, issuing only one walk while racking up 11 strikeouts. This glimpse of his ability highlights the potential upside he brings, despite his well-documented history of health issues that have followed him since his early days as a top prospect with the Baltimore Orioles.
Proven Talent When on the Mound
Hunter Harvey's career breakthrough arrived in 2022 with the Washington Nationals. It was there that he established himself as a reliable arm in high-pressure situations, even taking on the role of closer. Over a span of 145 innings pitched for Washington between 2022 and 2024, Harvey compiled a solid 3.17 ERA. His statistical profile was impressive, featuring an excellent 27.83% strikeout rate coupled with a commendably low 6.36% walk rate.
Known for his elite velocity and control, Harvey's fastball averaged 96.1 mph in 2025, which marked a career low. Baseball analysts suggest this dip was likely a result of the small sample size and his injury troubles. A full recovery during the offseason could see him regain the upper-90s velocity that has been a hallmark of his pitching.
Cubs' Bullpen Strategy Takes Shape
This acquisition aligns perfectly with the team-building philosophy of Cubs president Jed Hoyer, who has shown a preference for securing talented relievers with high upside at an affordable cost. While the specific financial terms of Harvey's deal have not been disclosed, it is widely expected to be a low-risk, high-reward contract given the pitcher's injury history.
The signing of Hunter Harvey is part of a broader overhaul of the Cubs' relief corps this offseason. The team has been actively reinforcing its bullpen, having already added pitchers like Phil Maton on a two-year, $14.5 million deal, Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, and Caleb Thielbar. While Daniel Palencia is projected to lead as the closer, Harvey's prior experience in finishing games provides manager Craig Counsell with a valuable and flexible late-inning option.
The Chicago Cubs have clearly identified bullpen stability as a critical priority for their 2026 campaign, focusing on this area over making splashy signings for starting pitchers or hitters in the early part of the offseason. If Hunter Harvey can maintain his health, his proven strikeout ability and powerful fastball could turn out to be a major bargain. His addition further strengthens what is already an improved and deeper group of relievers, showcasing the Cubs' smart, depth-focused approach to constructing a roster capable of achieving deeper playoff success.
