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Cubs re-sign saves leader for bargain $2.5 million contract
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- Cubs re-sign saves leader for bargain $2.5 million contract
The back end of the Chicago Cubs ' bullpen felt like a perpetual work in progress in 2026.
The injuries to Daniel Palencia, Porter Hodge, Ben Brown, Hunter Harvey and Phil Maton weren't the only reason the Cubs fell short of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central, then were swept by the San Diego Padres in a two-game NL wild-card series. But it explains a lot.
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As a result, Jacob Webb emerged as the Cubs' unlikely saves leader in the regular season with nine.
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Former world champion re-signs with Cubs
Aug 14, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jacob Webb (71) celebrates team's win against the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball game at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Webb, 33, won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 2021. He pitched well for the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers in 2024 and 2025, respectively. But along the way he saved only seven MLB games entering the 2026 season, and was hardly the Cubs' first choice to close games.
Perhaps that's why the Cubs re-signed him for the relatively low price of $2 million, per Robert Murray of FanSided.com , with a 2028 option worth $4 million. A $500,000 buyout guarantees Webb at least $2.5 million.
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Webb also set career highs in appearances (68), innings pitched (67) and strikeouts (73) in his seventh major league season. He recorded four outs without allowing a run in his only NL wild-card series appearance with the Cubs.
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In 315 career regular season appearances, Webb is 23-19 with a 3.07 ERA and 16 saves. According to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, Webb will receive incentives worth up to $500,000: $125,000 for each of 35, 45, 55 and 65 games pitched.
The report of Webb's return comes on the same day four Cubs pitchers became free agents: Colin Rea, Caleb Thielbar, Hunter Harvey and Clay Holmes. Rea's 2027 option was declined by the team, as first reported by ESPN's Jesse Rogers on X .
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