The Chicago Cubs have taken a notable step in their offseason strategy by agreeing to a deal with reliever Hunter Harvey, pending a physical, according to sources. This move continues a trend for Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, who seems focused on bolstering the bullpen with solid but less heralded options rather than pursuing marquee names.
Hunter Harvey, previously a first-round pick (22nd overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 2013, has had an up-and-down career but showcased promise during his tenure with the Washington Nationals in 2022 and 2023. Although his 2024 season fell short of expectations, Harvey made a brief return in 2025 with the Kansas City Royals. Despite being limited to just 12 appearances due to shoulder and groin issues, he impressed by not surrendering any earned runs across 10.1 innings of work, allowing only six hits and one walk while recording 11 strikeouts—a striking 0.656 WHIP.
Known for his strong fastball and an effective repertoire of offspeed pitches, Harvey’s highlights from 2025 demonstrate his potential as a valuable arm in the Cubs’ bullpen. The specifics of the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, and the Cubs have yet to make an official announcement regarding the signing.
Interestingly, Hunter Harvey is the son of Bryan Harvey, a former MLB closer whose career was hampered by injuries. Bryan had notable success in the early 1990s while playing for the Angels, which adds a compelling family narrative to Hunter’s journey in professional baseball.
As the Cubs continue to fill their roster, this addition signifies a thoughtful approach to strengthening their pitching depth while maintaining flexibility as they move forward in the offseason. With this signing, the Cubs’ 40-man roster will stand at 36 players, allowing room for additional moves as they look to contend in the upcoming season.