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The Chicago Cubs have made their first roster move of the offseason, claiming right-handed reliever Eric Orze off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Monday. The move adds another arm to the competition for a bullpen spot next spring.
This comes after the Cubs re-signed reliever Jacob Webb, allowed Colin Rea to depart via free agency, and extended a qualifying offer to Seiya Suzuki. While those were more prominent decisions, the waiver claim represents a low-risk, high-reward gamble for president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.
A Reclamation Project
Orze, 29, has yet to find a stable major league home. Selected by the New York Mets in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024 and then dealt to the Twins in 2025. Assuming he suits up for the Cubs in 2027, Chicago will be his fourth organization.
Despite a 5.66 ERA in 36 appearances with Minnesota last season, Orze’s track record suggests untapped potential. In 2025, he posted a 3.02 ERA over 41.2 innings out of the Rays’ bullpen, demonstrating the kind of production that intrigues the Cubs.
Orze’s arsenal features a fastball, slider, slurve, and a particularly effective splitter. While his fastball velocity doesn’t overpower hitters, the Cubs believe they can help him refine his secondary pitches and carve out a role. His ability to limit hard contact could be especially valuable for a Chicago team that surrendered too many home runs in 2026.
The move also brings Orze back to his roots. A Glenbard North High School alum, he grew up in the Chicago area before pitching at the University of New Orleans. His homecoming adds a nice storyline to the transaction.
Key Analysis
Orze profiles best as a middle reliever, where his diverse pitch mix and strikeout ability can be maximized without the pressure of high-leverage innings. For the Cubs, this is a no-risk flier on a pitcher with recent success and local ties. If the coaching staff can unlock consistency, Orze could become a valuable piece of a rebuilt bullpen. Only time will tell, but the waiver claim is the first of many expected moves as Chicago reshapes its relief corps.