Cubs Sign Phil Maton to Urgent Two-Year Deal to Boost Bullpen

BREAKING: The Chicago Cubs have officially signed right-handed reliever Phil Maton to a two-year contract with a third-year club option, according to multiple reports confirmed late Friday night. This strategic move marks a significant step in the Cubs’ efforts to rebuild their bullpen for the upcoming 2023 season.

This deal is particularly noteworthy as the Cubs rarely commit to multi-year contracts for relievers, highlighting their strong belief in the 32-year-old Maton’s abilities. Maton brings with him nine years of major league experience, having played with seven different organizations.

Last season, Maton showcased his skills with a remarkable 2.35 ERA while pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals before being traded to the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline. The Cardinals acquired a pair of minor-league pitchers and international draft pool money in exchange for Maton. During his time with the Rangers, his strikeout rate surged from an already impressive 30.4% pre-trade to 36.7% in the last two months of the season. Although his ERA rose to 3.52 with Texas, he maintained a stunning .179 batting average against him, finishing the season with a career-best 2.79 ERA.

Maton’s pitching style is characterized by his unique ability to mix a four-pitch arsenal, despite averaging just 90.6 mph on his cutter—the highest velocity pitch in his repertoire. This tactical approach has consistently kept hitters off balance, making him an invaluable asset to the Cubs as they look to fortify their bullpen.

With the Cubs starting nearly from scratch in this area, the addition of Maton is crucial. Currently, young right-handers Daniel Palencia and Porter Hodge are the only returning full-time relievers who threw at least 15 innings last season. Notably, Palencia served as the closer for much of the year, while Hodge also held that role briefly. The Cubs aim to enhance their pitching depth with this latest acquisition.

As the Cubs move forward, fans can expect more updates on additional signings and strategies to revamp their roster. The urgency surrounding the bullpen rebuild underscores the team’s commitment to returning to competitive form.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops!