Cubs Sign Righty Reliever Jacob Webb

As first reported by The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney, the Cubs have signed right-handed reliever Jacob Webb to a one-year deal that includes a club option for 2027. The 32-year-old has a 2.99 ERA across 253 career innings in 247 appearances for the Braves, Angels, Orioles, and Rangers. His strikeout and home run rates went in the wrong directions last season, but he’s been relatively healthy and effective for the last three years.

This is a typical move for Jed Hoyer as he seeks to fill out the bullpen with under-the-radar guys who won’t cost much. Webb is a fastball/changeup/slider guy who manages to avoid hard contact despite the home runs being up of late. He’s got a little experience closing games and should slot into the late-inning mix for Craig Counsell.

Update: The deal is worth a guaranteed $1.5 million with a $2.5 million option, and there are $500,000 in incentives for each of the two seasons.