The Cubs pick up another reliever, as ex-Twin Caleb Thielbar will join the team on a one-year deal. Thielbar comes to Chicago after a second run in the Twins bullpen, as he spent 2020-24 with Minnesota.
A Look at Thielbar
Reliever production can fluctuate year-to-year. One year after being one of the better left-handed relievers in the game, ex-Twin Caleb Thielbar posted inconsistent results in 2024.
Thielbar struck out 53 over 47.1 IP last season with Minnesota, the only MLB team the 37-year-old has played with in his career. He had stints in the Brewers, Padres, Tigers, and Marlins’ farm systems. However, his year-to-year WHIP rose from 0.95 in 2023 to 1.56 in 2024.
That rise can be attributed to doubling his BB% from 5.0% to 11.1%.
Walks have generally not been a problem for Thielbar, a lefty with a solid three-pitch mix, plus a seldom-used slider. The 37-year-old has a good four-seamer that doesn’t have a lot velocity — it generally sits in the 91-94 MPH range — but one with a lot of life and carry (18.3”).
He’ll complement it with a tight curveball that breaks down hard, making it a good weapon to spot for a strike, as well as work it down for chases. And because that curveball breaks towards his glove side down, it’s his primary secondary offering against right-handed bats.
Additionally, Thielbar will use a sweeper that’s become his go-to secondary offering. He used it 31.1% of the time in 2024, second-most among Thielbar’s offerings.
Right-handed hitters gave Thielbar more of an issue in 2024. He gave up 28 hits, including five home runs, and walked 14 over 24.2 IP. The new Cub limited hard-hit balls but ranked above-average in Barrel%. Meaning, when hitters connected with his stuff, it usually was pieced up well.
The Cubs announced an agreement on a one-year deal for Caleb Thielbar.
Analysis
While the Cubs have several left-handers in their rotation, including Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, and Justin Steele, the same can’t be said for their bullpen.
The only left-handed relief options for the Cubs before this signing, not counting SP Jordan Wicks, were the returning Rob Zastryzny and Luke Little.
Should the Cubs run with both Little and Thielbar in their bullpen, it would give manager Craig Counsell two different pitchers. Little is a hard-thrower who can overpower bats with a deceptive, mid-to-high-90s four-seamer and sweeper. Thielbar doesn’t throw that hard, and comes from a distinctly different setup.
Thielbar is an over-the-top reliever, compared to the low 3/4 slot used by Little.
It marks another addition to the Cubs’ bullpen. Chicago already added ex-Guardian Eli Morgan via trade, and will join a group that tentatively will include Tyson Miller and Porter Hodge.