Shifting to the National League, MLB.com’s beat writers focused on the bullpens and how they will be addressed this season. Today’s post will share their observations and thoughts.
Arizona Diamondbacks – From Steve Gilbert’s D-backs Beat, change will be occurring in a bullpen anchored by three young relievers:
Justin Martinez returned from Tommy John surgery and remains under contract through 2029 with team options for the next two seasons, buying out his arbitration years. He made 15 appearances and was scoreless in 14, posting a 1.125 WHIP across 13.1 innings. His velocity remained intact, but command remains an issue, as his career walk rate is 14.2 percent.
Juan Morillo (three saves and 19 holds) and Brandyn Garcia (five saves and 18 holds) emerged as trusted high-leverage options this season. They will either form a solid bridge to Martinez or be part of a leverage triumvirate in 2027.
Chicago Cubs – The Cubs cobbled together a veteran bullpen that held up for a while, but it wasn’t effective down the stretch. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com included this group in his 5 questions facing the team this winter:
Could this collapse have been avoided with a healthy Daniel Palencia? After shining in the World Baseball Classic, where he recorded three saves in five appearances for Venezuela with nine strikeouts and one walk in five innings, he matched the Cubs’ save total while making 32 appearances, including two stints on the injured list.
Although 14 different pitchers recorded a save, none reached double digits, with Jacob Webb leading the team with nine in 2026.
Cincinnati Reds – After a 2025 playoff appearance and a last-place finish in the division this season, the Reds are at a crossroads, according to Mark Sheldon. He believes Emilio Pagán will trigger his player option, remaining in Cincinnati:
As for his setup relievers, things are more unsettled:
If you are wondering about Brock Burke, who helped hold this unit together, he is a free agent.
Colorado Rockies – Although starting pitching will be the team’s focal point this offseason, Thomas Harding included the bullpen in his 5 questions the Rockies must answer:
Ten different pitchers recorded a save for Colorado this season, but it was Jordan Romano leading the way, converting 11 of 14 chances after being claimed off waivers from the Angels. If he doesn’t return, another ninth-inning revolving door may be on tap for 2027.
Miami Marlins – Christian Di Nicola did not make the bullpen a lead in her questions for the offseason, but did note that the team may be moving on from pending free agent Pete Fairbanks as their closer:
Ronny Henriquez recorded seven wins against one loss, with seven saves and 26 holds, in 2025, posting a 1.096 WHIP with 98 strikeouts and 27 walks (23.4 K-BB%) over 73 innings. He was a Swiss Army knife for Clayton McCullough and could be in the mix for saves, but he wasn’t used like a traditional closer before his Tommy John surgery.
New York Mets – A disappointing 2026 campaign still yielded some positive bullpen results, especially in the second half. Anthony DiComo notes them in his Mets Beat:
How the team handles free agency may determine whether Kodai Senga starts or is a reliever in 2027. If the bullpen bounces back, it needs a healthy, effective Devin Williams.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Adding a sinker fueled a strong second half and gave Mason Montgomery the closer role. The Pirates acquired Luke Weaver at the trade deadline, and he provides veteran presence as the preferred eighth-inning setup man. However, as Aiden Stepansky mused in his Pirates Beat, the team may need another veteran or two as bridge options to them:
With Montgomery at closer, the team should prioritize another left-handed reliever to strengthen the bullpen.
San Francisco Giants – The bullpen will be among the team’s priorities this offseason. Maria Guardardo shared this in her 4 offseason questions in her Giants Beat:
Fantasy managers and Giants fans remember the “Doval experience” at closer well and hope Randy Rodríguez fares well in the Arizona Fall League, though he hasn’t appeared in any games through October 10. However, the team needs more than a Doval reunion to rebuild a bullpen that lacks velocity and the ability to generate whiffs.
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