Free Agent Pitcher Could Be Cubs Closer in 2023

The Cubs keep inching toward being a competitive team in 2023, with the free agent signings of Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger, Jameson Taillon, Brad Boxberger and a few more are expected to be announced soon. One part of the team that could always use as much depth as possible is the bullpen and this week a new free agent target was linked to the Cubs for the first time this offseason.

Jon Morosi was on MLB Network talking about Swanson and the Cubs fielding an actual professional roster after the front office dismantled the roster in the summer of 2021. The team still needs to add a few more pieces and Morosi mentioned rumblings about right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer and the Cubs.

Morosi also brings up catcher Tucker Barnhart and right-handed hitter Trey Mancini. We’ve heard those guys being on the Cubs’ radar before, but Fulmer’s name caught fans attention.

At the 3:05 mark of the video, Morosi says he’s heard the Cubs may be looking to sign another pitcher and specifically names Fulmer as a potential target.

If you take a look at the current group of Cubs relievers, then you will notice that there is not a clear-cut closer on the roster. Sure, there are guys who have had experience in that role like the newly acquired Boxberger and Rowan Wick. But again, the closer’s role has not been filled by anyone yet. So, the Cubs could entice Fulmer with the closer’s role in negotiations with the free agent righty.

Fulmer, 29, made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2016, winning American League Rookie of the Year that season after posting a 3.06 ERA in 26 starts. In 2017, Fulmer was an All-Star and had a decent year with a 3.83 ERA in 164.2 innings. But then things went off the rails for him as a starting pitcher in 2018. Fulmer had a 4.69 ERA in 24 starts and then in March 2019, he underwent Tommy John surgery. The right-hander returned in 2020, but only tossed 27.2 innings and struggled, with an ERA near nine.

However, Fulmer has been a good reliever since 2021, recording a 2.98 ERA in 115 bullpen appearances with the Tigers and Minnesota Twins the last two years combined. He also did some closing for the Tigers in 2021, saving 14 games for Detroit that season.

Fulmer will mainly attack hitters with a fastball/slider combo, averaging nearly 96mph on his fastball throughout his career. In 2022, he had a 3.39 ERA in 63.2 innings with the Tigers and Twins.

There aren’t a lot of premium relievers left in free agency and it’s even tougher to try and find a team to trade with to acquire a good arm, so Fulmer does look like a great option for the Cubs.

We’ll talk about Fulmer and the rest of the Cubs moves so far this offseason, plus what else they still need to do on the Pinwheels And Ivy Podcast. We’ll be recording live at 8 p.m. CST on Wednesday.