The Cubs continue to add more options to a position group that seemingly can never have enough choices.
The team announced they acquired right-handed pitcher Matt Festa from the Rangers for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated infielder Miles Mastrobuoni for assignment.
The 31-year-old had been designated for assignment by the Rangers on Monday.
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Festa has appeared in 108 games in the big leagues across 5 seasons with Seattle, the Mets and Texas. In that time, the 6-foot, 1-inch hurler has a 4.60 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP and 2 saves with 126 strikeouts in 117.1 innings.
He relies primarily on a three-pitch mix — a 91.8-mph four-seam fastball, an 83.2-mph Sweeper and an 89.5-mph cutter. The cutter was a newer pitch for Festa — he broke it out 7.2% of the time in 2023 and in 2024, that usage spiked to 26.5%, with hitters going .233 against the pitch.
The addition of Festa continues a trend for the Cubs, who continue to stockpile relief arms. Their bullpen struggles in 2024 were no secret, and the Cubs have been upfront in acknowledging the need to add more and more options to Craig Counsell’s pool of relievers to avoid the struggles they incurred.
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Festa doesn’t add anything too flashy, but he induces weak contact — he had an average exact velocity of 86.3 mph last season, below league average (88.5) and his sweeper grades out as a well above average on Stuff+ modeling (127, where 100 is league average).
Mastrobuoni, 29, appeared in 110 games for the Cubs over the last two seasons, hitting .219 with 16 stolen bases and a homer. He was the Cubs Opening Day starter in right field in 2023 and played the corner outfield spots, third base and middle infield.
He was acquired from the Rays in November 2022 for minor league pitcher Alfredo Zárraga.
