Brandon Hughes DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a minor-league deal on Friday to re-sign left-hander Brandon Hughes, according to a league source briefed on the contract. Hughes could work his way into a key role in relief for the Cubs again in 2025 after he became the team's closer in the second half of the 2022 season. During that season, Hughes held a 3.12 ERA in 57 appearances out of the bullpen while recording eight saves for a rebuilding Cubs squad. He later suffered a knee injury and threw only 13 2/3 innings in Chicago the following year in 2023. Hughes had three scoreless outings with the Arizona Diamondbacks last September but spent most of 2024 pitching at Triple-A Reno, where he had a 2.03 ERA in 48 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old was originally drafted by the Cubs as an outfielder. With Chicago recently trading for veteran Ryan Pressly, it's unlikely Hughes will be in the mix for saves again in 2025.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed left-handed reliever Brandon Hughes to a minor-league deal and will bring him to spring training as a non-roster invitee. Hughes was a key member of the Cubs' bullpen in his debut season in 2022, posting a 3.12 ERA across 57 innings of work, even locking down eight saves in that time. However, a knee injury cost him much of the 2023 season and he posted a 7.24 ERA in 13 2/3 innings last season before the club non-tendered him this winter. It's a low-risk flier for the D-backs as Hughes posted excellent ERA figures throughout his minor-league career and only struggled following a procedure on his knee. He could be a left-handed factor for the reigning NL champs in 2024.