The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a new one-year contract with veteran right-handed reliever Jacob Webb, the team announced on Monday.

Webb will reportedly receive a $2 million salary for the 2027 season, with a $4 million club option for 2028 that includes a $500,000 buyout. The deal guarantees him $2.5 million, while performance incentives could add another $500,000 to his earnings. Moreover, he will receive an additional $125,000 upon reaching 35, 45, 55 and 65 appearances.

The new agreement replaces Webb's previous contract, which included a $2.5 million team option for 2027 without a buyout. Rather than simply exercising that option, Chicago restructured the arrangement to secure another potential season of control over the 33-year-old.

The decision comes after Webb's superlative campaign accomplished against the backdrop of considerable upheaval in the Cubs' pitching ranks. He appeared in 68 games, finishing with a 3.36 ERA across 67 innings while collecting a career-best 73 strikeouts against 25 walks. He also recorded nine saves and nine holds, leading the team in saves.

Webb assumed heightened importance when injuries and inconsistent performances created uncertainty in the bullpen. Manager Craig Counsell eventually entrusted him with closing responsibilities, and he responded with an outstanding stretch during the summer.

Between June and August, Webb completed 24 consecutive appearances without surrendering a run, covering 24 1/3 innings. That performance tied for the third-longest single-season scoreless appearance streak in franchise history. Only Andrew Chafin, with 26 games in 2021, and Warren Brusstar, with 25 in 1983, recorded longer streaks.

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His underlying numbers were equally encouraging. Webb produced a 25.7% strikeout rate and a 33.3% whiff rate, placing him in the 96th percentile across MLB in the latter category. His mid-90s four-seam fastball and mid-80s changeup were particularly effective, with the changeup generating a 41.5% whiff rate.

However, Webb did struggle toward the end of the season, compiling a 9.90 ERA across his final 11 appearances. He still managed 1 1/3 scoreless innings in Chicago's Game 1 loss to the San Diego Padres in the National League Wild Card Series.

With several Cubs pitchers heading toward free agency, retaining Webb gives the team a dependable bullpen option for 2027. His return also heralds the organization's opening gambit in rebuilding a pitching staff expected to undergo considerable changes this offseason.