Cubs Agree to Deal With Steven Brault

Andrew McCutchen is not the only former Pirate who will be playing in the National League Central again in 2022.

Former Pirates pitcher Steven Brault has agreed to a deal with the Chicago Cubs. Fansided’s Robert Murray first said a deal was close and MLB Network’s Jon Heyman confirmed a deal. Brault was designated for assignment by the Pirates before the lockout.

Brault originally came to the Pirates from the Orioles in the Travis Snider trade back in 2015. He made his debut with the Bucs the following season, pitching primarily in the rotation. After mostly pitching out of the bullpen the following two years, Brault became a part of the rotation again starting in 2019.

It was the following year in 2020 that Brault broke out, finishing the year with a 3.38 ERA/3.92 FIP in 10 starts (plus one relief appearance) during the pandemic-shortened season.

Two separate injuries, one to delay the start of his season and one to cut it prematurely, limited Brault to just 27.2 innings in 2022. He finished the season with a 5.86 ERA/4.62 FIP in seven starts.

This is the third starting pitcher the Cubs have added this offseason, joined by Marcus Stroman and Wade Miley. No details of the agreement have been reported.