The Chicago Cubs made a few moves on Friday, November 21, 2025. To start, they tendered 2026 contracts to RHP Javier Assad and LHP Justin Steele. Also, they non-tendered catcher Reese McGuire and RHP Eli Morgan. Then, late Friday night, reports surfaced that the team had signed free-agent pitcher Phil Maton.
Before the reported signing of Maton, the Cubs’ 40-man roster stood at 30 players. The Maton signing has not been made official by the team or player representation.
REPORT: Chicago Cubs Sign Relief Pitcher Phil Maton
The first to report the move was Michael Cerami, who runs Bleacher Nation.
“Source is telling me the Cubs have signed right-handed reliever Phil Maton,” Cerami wrote late on November 21, 2025.
Will Sammon added to Cerami’s report with a few contract details.
“RHP Phil Maton and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement,” Sammon wrote shortly after Cerami. “On a two-year guarantee with a club option for a third year, league source said. (Michael Cerami first reported Maton going to Chicago.)”
Jon Heyman confirmed with his own report early on November 22nd, “Phil Maton to Cubs. 2 guaranteed years.”
Maton had a good 2025 season. The 32-year-old split the year between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched in 63 games, throwing 81 strikeouts in 61.1 innings. Maton earned 22 holds and five saves to go along with a 1.06 WHIP and a 2.79 ERA.
Maton is a Set-up Reliever, Through and Through
Looking at Maton’s career numbers, he was bred to be a set-up reliever.
In 478 career games, he has 86 holds and 10 saves (in 27 save opportunities). Maton has a 23-20 win-loss record, to go along with a 3.98 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, all in 472.1 innings.
Maton really came into his own as a setup man in 2022 with the Houston Astros. In 67 games, he pitched 65.2 innings, earning 14 holds to go along with a 3.84 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts. That first season was a little bumpy, however, as he allowed 10 home runs.
Last year was the best season of his career. Among all MLB relievers, Maton ranked 22nd in strikeouts (81) and 22nd in holds (22).
Maton the First of Many Expected Incoming Bullpen Additions
Jordan Bastian of MLB.com revealed a few additional details surrounding Maton’s reported deal with the Cubs.
“On Friday night, the Cubs began that process by reaching an agreement with veteran right-hander Phil Maton on a two-year deal,” Bastian wrote on November 21st. “That includes a club option for ‘28, per a source. The contract, which is pending physical, was not confirmed by the team.”
Bastian goes on to explain what has made Maton such an effective late-game pitcher.
“Maton led with his curveball (38.2% use) and cutter (36%), which have served as his main two weapons dating back to 2023,” Bastian detailed. “The righty also mixes in a sweeper and sinker, while dropping the four-seamer he featured earlier in his career. His curveball, in particular, was especially effective last season, as evidenced by its 41.6% whiff rate.”
Maton has a good record against both lefties and righties. Bastian believes his cutter has something to do with that.
“Maton’s cutter velocity climbed to 90.6 mph in ‘25, which was up from 88.7 mph in the previous year,” Bastian continued. “That helped him rack up 81 strikeouts against 23 walks in 61 1/3 innings last season, while holding righty batters to a .174 average and .536 OPS. Maton was also strong against lefties (.226 average and .653 OPS), compared to his career showing (.246 BA/.752 OPS).”
The Cubs’ depth chart currently lists Daniel Palencia, Jordan Wicks, Ben Brown, and Porter Hodge as the only relief arms. Maton brings a lot of experience to the team and should be the first option the coaching staff turns to when setting up for the closer, Palencia.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Cubs Add Their First New Pitcher of Offseason: REPORT appeared first on Heavy Sports.