With the Chicago Cubs’ offense firing on all cylinders to start the season, optimism is high around the club. However, concerns persist on the pitching front—particularly in the bullpen. In a recent Bleacher Report article, Kerry Miller suggests the Cubs should consider signing veteran reliever to bolster their relief corps.
Despite struggling in 2024 with a 6.53 ERA over 41.1 innings, his unique postseason résumé makes him an intriguing option. Prior to joining the Kansas City Royals in 2024, he spent three straight seasons with different teams—all of which went on to win the World Series. In 2021, he was a key part of the Atlanta Braves’ bullpen, posting a 3.44 ERA over 68 innings and a flawless 0.00 ERA in 11 playoff innings en route to a championship. Though he didn’t pitch in the postseason after being traded to the Astros midseason in 2022, Houston still claimed the title. Then in 2023, he signed with the Texas Rangers—and once again, they captured the crown.
Smith, now 35, would be entering his 13th MLB season if the Cubs bring him aboard. While his most recent campaign left much to be desired, his prior performances suggest he still has value as a depth piece in the bullpen. His seemingly magical streak of World Series wins could offer Chicago a spark—something the franchise, long plagued by misfortune until its 2016 title, would surely welcome.
Bleacher Report’s prediction makes sense: adding Smith would give the Cubs a seasoned reliever and maybe, just maybe, a bit of that championship luck. After all, for a team like Chicago with a complex history of curses and comebacks, having a player who’s won three World Series in three years might just be the kind of baseball mystique they need.