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Cubs Finalize Two-Year, $14.5 Million Deal With Phil Maton, Add 2028 Club Option

The move signals a shift from Chicago’s usual one-year bullpen bets.

Overview

  • MLB’s official account announced the signing on November 25, confirming Maton’s two-year agreement with Chicago.
  • Reported terms include $14.5 million guaranteed over two years, a 2028 club option, and $250,000 in annual appearance-based incentives.
  • Maton posted a 2.79 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 61.1 innings for the Cardinals and Rangers in 2025 after pitch-calling and mechanical tweaks boosted his strikeout rate and cutter velocity.
  • He is expected to handle high-leverage duty as a late-inning option, complementing closer Daniel Palencia in Craig Counsell’s bullpen.
  • The deal is the first step in rebuilding a relief corps thinned by free-agent exits of Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar, and Drew Pomeranz, with the Cubs retaining payroll room to add more arms.