CUMULATIVE DEAL ADDS DURABILITY AND LEFT-HANDED GROUND BALL POWER
The Chicago Cubs have continued their strategic overhaul of the bullpen, signing veteran left-handed reliever Hoby Milner to a one-year contract reportedly worth $3.75 million, plus incentives.
Milner’s arrival marks the second significant relief addition this offseason (joining Phil Maton), strengthening a bullpen that lost several key arms to free agency. While the deal may not be a headline-grabber, it’s a crucial “cumulative deal” that provides the Cubs with sorely needed durability and a specialized skillset.
THE COUNSELL REUNION
A key factor in the signing is Milner’s reunion with Manager Craig Counsell, who managed the southpaw for three seasons (2021-2023) with the Milwaukee Brewers. Milner had arguably the best season of his nine-year career under Counsell in 2023, posting a stellar $1.82$ ERA and a $0.96$ WHIP.
Milner, 35 in January, is not a flamethrower—his fastball sits in the high 80s—but he utilizes a deceptive, sidewinding delivery to achieve elite results, especially against left-handed hitters.
Milner shared his excitement: “I’m thrilled to be back with Counsell and contribute to the Cubs. I know this division, and I’m ready to help the team win important games. My job is to get quick outs and keep the ball on the ground.”
THE STATS THAT MATTER: A GROUND-BALL MACHINE
Milner’s value lies in his consistency and his ability to generate weak contact:
Durability: He has logged at least 64 innings in each of the past four seasons, an impressive workload for a modern reliever.
Ground-Ball Rate: His 2025 ground-ball percentage with the Rangers ranked in the 91st percentile in MLB. This skillset is a perfect fit for a Cubs team that relies on its strong defensive infield.
Control: He maintains a walk rate (5.8%) that is significantly better than league average, demonstrating the consistent control necessary for close games.
Milner will serve as the most experienced left-hander in the Cubs’ bullpen, effectively replacing the production lost with the departures of veteran southpaws Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz. His presence allows the Cubs to strategically use him as a middle-innings bridge and a left-handed specialist in high-leverage situations.
This signing underscores the Cubs’ philosophy of building their bullpen through savvy, high-floor, short-term commitments—a strategy they hope will lead to a deeper playoff run in 2026.
