Just one day after the conclusion of the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings, multiple relievers found new homes for 2026 and beyond.
That included left-hander Hoby Milner, as according to Michael Cerami of Bleacher Nation, Miler and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a one-year contract worth $3.75 million. The deal also includes incentives per Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic.
Milner seemed like he was destined to head to Chicago prior to the 2025 season. The Cubs were in need of left-handed bullpen help and with Milner's background in Milwaukee with current manager Craig Counsell, a pairing of the two sides made perfect sense. That ultimately didn't happen, and Milner headed to Texas to pitch for the Rangers last season.
The version of Milner that Chicago will be getting is an intriguing question. Is it the 1.82 ERA and 1.7 WAR in 2023? Or is it the -0.6 WAR each of the previous two seasons with a 3.84 ERA being the lowest of those respective seasons? The Cubs obviously hope it is the 2023 version, but the previous two seasons have not indicated that the old version will be returning.
Chicago is expected to remain in the market for bullpen arms, a group that was a strength down the stretch last season.
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