The Cubs added experience to their bullpen on Tuesday, announcing that they’d agreed to terms on a one-year major-league contract with left-hander Caleb Thielbar.
Thielbar, who turns 38 in January, has actually added velocity over the last five years, his fastball clocking in at an average of 93.2 mph last season, compared to 89.8 in 2020. But he owned a 5.32 ERA last season, thanks to shaky early results before he righted the ship down the stretch.
Thielbar has played all eight seasons of his major-league career for the Twins, originally signing after a stint in the American Association independent league. His time in Minnesota was interrupted by a four-year span in which he bounced around several different organizations’ farm systems.
When Thielbar returned to the big-leagues, he put together four straight seasons with a sub-3.50 ERA, a streak that ended this past year.
The bullpen will continue to be a point of emphasis for the Cubs as the offseason continues.