Cubs Have Former Astros Reliever on Radar

Count the Chicago Cubs among the growing base of teams that have shown interest in former Houston Astros reliever Ryne Stanek.

Per USA Today, the Cubs, along with the Boston Red Sox, are interested in signing the right-hander. The New York Mets are also interested per reports.

Stanek does not appear to have a landing spot with his former team after three seasons. Stanek, along with Phil Maton and Hector Neris, have not been re-signed by the Astros.

Instead, Houston signed closer Josh Hader to a deal worth nearly $100 million and traded for Dylan Coleman in December.

It’s easy to see why the Cubs might be interested. Stanek was a workhorse with the Astros, as he went 8-7 with a 2.90 ERA in 168 appearances. He had three saves and 41 holds, including 21 in 2021 and 17 in the Astros’ World Series title season of 2022.

He proved to be a quality set-up man for last year’s closer, Ryan Pressly, who remains a part of the Astros’ bullpen.

The Cubs are probably not done adding pieces to their bullpen for next season. Adbert Alzolay ended up as the Cubs’ closer last season and finished with 22 saves. It was his first full season as a closer after four seasons with the Cubs as a reliever and starter, with a 5-13 record in 2021.

The Cubs have several holdover members of last year’s bullpen, including Julian Merryweather, Mark Leiter Jr. and Drew Smyly, who moved into the bullpen late last season. He’s capable of swinging into a starting role if needed.

Also on the Cubs’ bullpen depth chart are Yency Almonte, Daniel Palencia and Luke Little.