While much of the offseason attention around the Chicago Cubs has centered on splashy additions and long-term planning, a quieter departure may end up carrying real consequences. Veteran reliever, who played a steady if understated role last season, is no longer part of the Cubs’ bullpen after signing with the Texas Rangers.
Ryan Brasier’s exit didn’t come with much fanfare, but his presence was felt when Chicago needed stability in the later innings. Limited by usage and health, the right-hander still managed to provide experienced depth, appearing in 28 games and handling a variety of situations that often go unnoticed over the grind of a full season.
Beyond the stat line, Brasier brought something harder to replace: postseason experience and clubhouse leadership. A former World Series champion with Boston, he offered a veteran voice in a bullpen that leaned heavily on younger arms. That kind of reliability can be easy to overlook—until it’s gone.
The Cubs now face the task of replacing not just innings, but trust. Whether that comes internally or via a late free-agent addition remains to be seen, but losing a proven contributor narrows the margin for error, especially in close games where bullpen execution often decides outcomes.
As the season approaches, Brasier’s departure may register as a minor footnote. But if bullpen depth becomes an issue down the line, this is one move Cubs fans may look back on and say, “That mattered more than we thought.”