The Chicago Cubs have officially seen one of their 2025 bullpen arms move on, as veteran right-hander Ryan Brasier has signed with a new organization.
According to a report from Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Brasier has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers that includes an invitation to major league spring training. The deal gives Brasier an opportunity to compete for a spot on Texas’ Opening Day roster as he looks to extend his MLB career.
Brasier joined the Cubs around this time last year after being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a low-risk trade following his designation for assignment. At the time, the move generated some optimism that the veteran could become a stabilizing presence in Chicago’s bullpen.
That optimism ultimately failed to materialize.
Injuries limited Brasier to just 26 innings during the 2025 season, preventing him from ever finding consistent footing. While his surface-level statistics were not disastrous, his overall effectiveness declined noticeably, and he was unable to recapture the form that once made him a valuable late-inning option.
Across 28 appearances with the Cubs, Brasier posted a 4.50 ERA and a 1.231 WHIP. However, advanced metrics painted a less encouraging picture. His strikeout rate fell to the lowest mark of his career, and despite a respectable 3.17 FIP, he struggled to consistently miss bats or dominate hitters. The right-hander finished his stint in Chicago with a -0.2 bWAR and was not included on the Cubs’ postseason roster.
At 38 years old, Brasier’s margin for error was slim, and the combination of age, injuries, and declining performance made it difficult for him to carve out a long-term role. While the Cubs gave him a chance after acquiring him for minimal cost, the return on that investment never materialized.
Now, Brasier returns to his home state of Texas in hopes of rebooting his career. The Rangers’ minor league deal offers a fresh start and a familiar environment, but his path back to the majors will require a strong spring showing.
From the Cubs’ perspective, the decision to move on was largely expected.
Chicago had the entire offseason to explore a reunion with Brasier and opted not to pursue one, signaling that the front office did not view him as part of its bullpen plans. That reality was reinforced by the significant turnover Jed Hoyer orchestrated this winter.
Ironically, the Cubs have repeatedly tapped into the Rangers organization to rebuild their bullpen, acquiring arms such as Jacob Webb and Hoby Milner. They also added Phil Maton and Hunter Harvey while retaining key contributors from last season, including Caleb Thielbar and Daniel Palencia. With those moves, Chicago has reshaped the bullpen into what could be one of the team’s strengths heading into the upcoming season.
Given the depth and competition now in place, Brasier likely would have been squeezed out even if he had returned. The Cubs’ bullpen overhaul left little room for a veteran coming off an injury-plagued and underwhelming season.
While there was some excitement surrounding Brasier’s arrival last year, his departure ultimately represents a logical step forward for the organization. Chicago took a low-risk chance, evaluated the results, and pivoted decisively once it became clear the fit was not ideal.
Cubs fans will undoubtedly wish Brasier well as he looks to revive his career with the Rangers, but moving on from the veteran right-hander appears to be the correct decision as Chicago continues to reshape its roster for sustained success.
