Former Astros Reliever Phil Maton Signs with Cubs, What It Means for Houston

Former Houston Astros reliever Phil Maton is heading to Chicago after agreeing to a two-year contract with the Cubs. The move closes the door on a potential reunion and forces the Astros to continue searching for reliable bullpen depth as the offseason heats up in Houston.

Maton Heads to Chicago

Maton spent three full seasons with the Astros and became one of the club’s most trusted middle relievers. He delivered steady strikeout production and helped stabilize the bullpen during several deep postseason runs. After entering free agency this winter, he drew interest from several teams seeking experienced relief help.

Chicago ultimately landed him on a two-year agreement, according to reporting from On Tap Sports Net. The deal gives the Cubs a veteran arm with playoff experience and removes one more option from a shrinking relief market.

Impact on Houston’s Bullpen Strategy

The Astros had not been viewed as strong favorites to bring Maton back, but his departure still affects the team’s depth chart. Houston’s bullpen struggled with inconsistency last season, and the front office is expected to prioritize pitching upgrades.

Because Maton handled high-leverage situations, his exit increases the pressure on younger relievers to deliver steady innings. It also highlights the need for an additional veteran presence, especially as the Astros look to support a rotation that might rely more on length from its bullpen.

Why It Matters for the Houston Astros

Maton’s reliability helped Houston weather injuries and slumps over the past few seasons. Losing that stability makes the Astros’ relief group thinner and places emphasis on acquiring arms who can pitch in tight games.

• The free-agent reliever pool is getting smaller.
• Houston still needs a right-handed setup option.
• Younger bullpen arms will face more competition this spring.

Although the Astros have internal candidates, they could now explore trade options or low-risk veteran signings to bolster the staff.

What’s Next

The front office will likely remain active as winter moves forward. Because several contending teams are searching for bullpen help, Houston may move quickly to avoid missing out on remaining free agents. Fans should watch for short-term contracts, bounce-back candidates, or even a surprise trade.

The move also signals that the Astros are entering an offseason where every piece of pitching depth matters. With expectations still high in Houston, the team must respond with additions that strengthen its playoff push.

This article is a summary of reporting by On Tap Sports Net. Read the full story here.