In a move that could bolster their bullpen depth for the 2024 season, the Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with right-handed reliever Phil Bickford. The news, first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, brings in a veteran arm with the potential to contribute at the big league level if he can recapture his past success.
Bickford, 29, joins the Cubs after a challenging 2024 season, which saw him make only eight appearances with the New York Yankees. In those brief stints, he struggled, posting a 9.72 ERA over 8 1/3 innings. He allowed nine runs on 10 hits, and while his strikeout stuff was present, his inconsistency left him relegated to a minor role with the Yankees.
However, Bickford’s story isn’t solely one of struggle at the major league level. The former first-round draft pick (taken 25th overall by the San Francisco Giants in 2015) spent most of his 2024 campaign in Triple-A, where he showed far more promise. Over 32 2/3 innings in the minors, Bickford posted a solid 3.40 ERA, with a dazzling 30% strikeout rate and a manageable 7.7% walk rate. This performance in Triple-A suggests that Bickford still has the tools to be a solid major league reliever, despite his struggles in the big leagues.
Bickford’s overall career numbers show that he’s capable of being an effective contributor at the MLB level. Over parts of five seasons with the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees, he has maintained an above-average 26.1% strikeout rate. His best season came in 2023, when he posted a career-high 67 1/3 innings between the Dodgers and Mets. Despite struggling with a personal-worst 12.8% walk rate, he punched out a quarter of batters faced and had a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio. His ability to generate swings and misses remains one of his biggest assets, making him a compelling option for a bullpen looking for a spark.
For the Cubs, the move is a low-risk, high-reward gamble on a pitcher with a proven ability to miss bats. With several spots still open in Chicago’s bullpen, Bickford will compete for a role during Spring Training. The Cubs’ bullpen has been somewhat inexperienced in recent seasons, and the team will likely continue to explore options to deepen the relief corps over the winter.
Chicago’s bullpen currently features a mix of established names and younger arms, with pitchers like Nate Pearson, Porter Hodge, Eli Morgan, Tyson Miller, and Keegan Thompson likely having spots secured. Additionally, Julian Merryweather, who was tendered a contract, is a candidate for a middle-relief role if he remains healthy. With two spots still up for grabs, Bickford will have the opportunity to prove himself during Spring Training and potentially earn a spot on the Opening Day roster.
While it remains to be seen if Bickford can regain his previous form, his minor league deal represents a solid opportunity for both the Cubs and the reliever. If he can harness his strikeout ability and improve his control, he could be an effective piece in Chicago’s bullpen, providing a boost to a team that has playoff aspirations in 2024. This move underscores the Cubs’ commitment to building a deeper, more competitive bullpen, and Bickford will have every chance to prove he can contribute at the major league level once again.
