Cubs Eye A.J. Minter and Kyle Finnegan to Strengthen Bullpen

The Chicago Cubs, looking to bolster their bullpen this offseason, have shown interest in two prominent names: left-hander A.J. Minter and right-hander Kyle Finnegan. This follows their recent acquisition of right-hander Eli Morgan from the Guardians.


According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Cubs are among the teams eyeing A.J. Minter, while ESPN's Jesse Rogers notes that the club has also had discussions with Kyle Finnegan.


Minter, 31, is one of the more intriguing free agent relievers available this winter. Since breaking out with the Braves during the 2020 season, he has established himself as one of the best lefty relief arms in baseball. Over the past five years, Minter has posted a 2.85 ERA and a nearly identical 2.84 FIP in 243 innings, striking out 30.1% of his opponents while walking just 7.8%. His 3.05 SIERA ranks third among lefty relievers with at least 200 innings since the start of 2020, trailing only Josh Hader and Taylor Rogers.


Despite these impressive stats, Minter's free agency is clouded by a challenging 2024 season. While he maintained a solid 2.62 ERA, his strikeout rate dipped to 26.1%, and his FIP rose to 4.45, primarily due to an increase in home runs allowed. More concerning, Minter underwent season-ending hip surgery in August. Recent reports indicate it's uncertain whether he will be ready to pitch at the start of the 2025 season, which could impact his free agency value if teams anticipate a significant early-season absence.