Phil Matton of Chicago agrees to multi-year free agent contract

The Chicago Cubs signed veteran right-hander Phil Matton to a two-year contract with a club option through 2028, the team’s first multi-year deal with a free agent by Craig Kimbrel 2019.

Matton split the 2025 season between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers, combining to go 4-5 with a career-best 2.79 ERA in 63 games. He struck out 81 batters in 61⅓ innings, posting a 1.06 WHIP, 22 walks and five saves. While his fastball averaged just 89.6 mph, ranking in the third percentile among MLB players, Matton was effective in pitches and deceptions.

His cutter, curveball and sweeper posted a whiff rate above 32%, and he limited his hard-hit rates to 29.9% for the season. Opponents hit just a .536/.611 OPS against right-handed and left-handed hitters, respectively. Baseball Savant Metrics revealed Matton’s exceptional ability to swing and miss (98th percentile) and suppress hard contact (99th percentile).

The 32-year-old started the year with the Cardinals on a one-year, $2 million deal, posting a solid 2.35 ERA in 38⅓ innings before being traded to the Rangers at the trade deadline for minor leaguers Skylar Hales and Mason Molina. In Texas, his ERA rose to 3.52 in 23 appearances, but he increased his strikeout rate to 36.7% and added three saves. Combined, the season represented by far the best performance of Matton’s nine-year MLB career.

Since his debut with the San Diego Padres in 2017, Matton has played for seven other teams, including the Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Cardinals and Rangers. Since entering the major leagues, he has a 3.98 ERA and 1.26 VHIP in 478 games and has gained significant postseason experience, making 26 playoff appearances with a 2.57 ERA. Of note, he pitched five scoreless innings during the 2021 World Series in Houston.

The Cubs enter the 2026 season and must rebuild their bullpen after the departures of Brad Keller, Caleb Tilbar, Drew Pomeranz and Andrew Kittredge. Daniel Palencia remains the only high-leverage player from last year’s roster. Matton’s addition addresses a late-inning need, likely complementing Palencia and providing a veteran presence as a player.

With his hitting ability, command and experience in high-pressure situations, Matton gives Chicago a reliable backcourt option as they look to build on their 90-win campaign in 2025. which ended in the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.