BREAKING: Chicago Cubs and President Base Ball Operation Jed Hoyer Has Officially Confirmed and Announced The Signing Of Padres Fans Favourite Star To Massive 3-Years Contract.

In a low-risk move to improve bullpen depth, the Chicago Cubs acquired left-handed reliever Tom Cosgrove from the San Diego Padres for cash considerations. To clear space on the 40-man roster, Chicago designated right-hander Caleb Kilian for assignment.
Cosgrove, 28, was recently designated for assignment by San Diego after a poor spring and slow start to the Triple-A season. During Spring Training, the southpaw surrendered seven runs in just 5 1/3 innings and has three earned runs in four appearances for Triple-A El Paso this season. Nonetheless, his prior success makes him a valuable rehabilitation project for the Cubs, especially with a minor league option still on the table.

The Cubs immediately optioned Cosgrove to Triple-A Iowa, where he will attempt to recover the form that made him a standout rookie in 2023. That year, Cosgrove had a 1.75 ERA in 54 Padres appearances, keeping opponents to a.173 batting average and demonstrating a strong ability to suppress hard contact. His strikeout and walk percentages were not very high, but his effectiveness against batters from both sides of the plate made him an important member of the Padres’ bullpen.

The Cubs add a southpaw reliever for bullpen depth.
However, things disintegrated last season. In 2024, Cosgrove had an 11.66 ERA in 18 major league appearances, and his velocity and swing-and-miss numbers had significantly decreased.

He completed the year largely in Triple-A, where he had a 4.85 ERA and a good 26.8% strikeout rate. While his recent performance has been poor, the Cubs believe a change of environment would help him get back on track. Kilian, aged 27, is the corresponding roster casualty. Kilian was formerly seen as a crucial return piece in the Giants’ 2021 Kris Bryant trade, but he has struggled to establish himself in the majors. Over eight MLB games (five starts), he has a 9.22 ERA in 27 1/3 innings, walking 20 and striking out 21. His only appearance in Triple-A Iowa this season did not go well, as he allowed six runs in just 2 1/3 innings, including three home runs.

While Kilian still has a mid-to-high-90s fastball and a diverse pitch mix, his inability to consistently miss bats or command the zone has prevented him from reaching the MLB level. Given his former prospect credentials and the remaining option year, another team may claim him off waivers. If not, the Cubs might assign him to Iowa and keep him as organizational depth.

This trade is essentially a change-of-scenery swap: two pitchers in their late twenties, both out of options after this year and in need of a boost. Cosgrove provides much-needed lefty depth for the Cubs, as well as a great, but brief, track record in the majors. And with a bullpen that has been inconsistent, any potential is welcome.

It also quietly represents the end of an era. If Kilian is waived or released, the Cubs would have parted ways with the whole Kris Bryant trade return in a matter of months.