ESPN Report: Chicago cubs agree $87.9 million deal for the acquisition of  St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher who will join from free agency following…

The Chicago Cubs have been linked to a potential trade for an intriguing closer option.

The Chicago Cubs may have a jam-packed offseason ahead of them. The upcoming offseason will likewise be crucial for their franchise’s future.The Cubs’ manager, Jed Hoyer, has made no secret of his intention to return to title contention with the team in 2019. Some significant offseason actions would be necessary for that.Improving the bullpen’s final stretch might be one of those options. Chicago has to find a solution to their save-failure problem after it cost them 26 games in the 2024 MLB season.

The Cubs, with that in mind, have been mentioned as a possible major trade partner for a closer.670 The Score’s Bruce Levine, an MLB insider, has proposed one possible solution. He speculates that the Cubs might contact the Astros on a possible trade involving reliever Josh Hader.Why would the Astros trade Hader, a reliable closer? He has a large contract, and moving him would free up capital for other important movements.Hader played in 71 games with the Rockets in 2024. He had a 3.80 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 4.2 K/BB ratio, 34 saves, and only four blown saves, in addition to an 8-8 record.

If the Cubs could get that kind of performance from their closer, they would be in a much better position to compete next season.

Hader and Craig Counsell are also acquainted from their long association. He probably has a soft spot for his previous star-studded partner. They were teammates with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2017 to 2022.The investment required to bring Hader on board would be substantial. After signing a five-year, $95 million deal with the Astros, Hader will enter the second year of his deal.Although it’s a costly option, he would provide the club with a top-tier, long-term closer.

Chicago needs to step up their game this summer. They must avoid squandering another season in 2025. Frustration is at an all-time high for the team, thus Hoyer may be fighting for his job this offseason.Having saying that, the Cubs want to be quite active throughout the upcoming summer. No one can predict the final moves they make, but acquiring Hader in a trade would be a huge victory.