Cubs Interested in Elite Left-Handed Reliever

Nope, not free agent closer Tanner Scott, but rather ex-New York Mets left-handed reliever Brooks Raley. Oh and of course there’s a giant red-flag because the 36-year-old pitcher is recovering from Tommy John surgery and isn’t expected to return until the second half of the 2025 season.

Oh yeah, we’re talking about a reclamation project! According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, the Cubs are among one of several teams showing interest in the left-handed reliever and they have reportedly checked in on the free agent.

While it’s not certain at this point if the Cubs have discussed a multi-year contract with Raley, the MLB insiders say those talks have been brought up with some interested clubs.

Via The Athletic.

Free agent left-handed reliever Brooks Raley has discussed multiyear arrangements with some clubs, league sources said.

Raley, 36, had Tommy John surgery in May. He hopes to be ready to pitch in games as early as the start of July, people briefed on the matter said. Clubs known to be in the market for bullpen help, including the Cubs and Yankees, have checked in.

Raley began his pro career with the Cubs, selected back in the 2009 draft in the sixth round. The lefty made his MLB debut in 2012 and pitched in parts of two seasons with the Cubs. He struggled, posting a 7.04 ERA in 38.1 innings and was then claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins heading into the 2014 season. Raley was later claimed by the Los Angeles Angels and after spending the entire year at Triple-A he departed for the KBO.

The left-hander pitched in Korea from 2015-19, making 30+ starts every season and tossing at least 178 innings in each of his five years with the Lotte Giants. Raley returned to MLB in 2020, but his resurgence as a reliever began with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022. He had a 2.68 ERA in 53.2 innings with Tampa Bay and then recorded a 2.80 ERA in 54.2 innings with the Mets in 2023.

From 2022-23, Raley’s 2.74 ERA ranked third-best among all lefty relievers in MLB that had at least 100 innings on the mound. Prior to getting shut down in 2024, Raley did not allow an earned run in seven innings.

Raley has a career 26.7 K% in the majors and since the start of 2022, it’s at 27.3% while carrying a 2.58 ERA in 115.1 innings.

Listen, is signing a 36-year-old pitcher who is recovering from Tommy John surgery the most prudent thing to do? Probably not, but given that the Cubs are still in need of a proven southpaw in the bullpen (signing Caleb Thielbar doesn’t erase the need) perhaps signing Raley as insurance for the second half of the season isn’t the worst thing in the world. When healthy, he’s been fantastic.

But I won’t blame you for being irritated that the Cubs are linked to rehabbing pitchers instead of you know, being in the mix for the top reliever on the market in Tanner Scott, who would also provide the team a great service as the new closer.