The Cubs have agreed to a deal with free-agent righty , Darren Wolfson of KSTP and SKOR North Radio. The Twins released Staumont recently after designating him for a signment. Hes headed to the Cubs Triple-A affiliate in Iowa. Staumont, 30, pitched to a solid 3.70 ERA in 24 1/3 frames with Minnesota prior to being cut loose, but his velocity was down considerably from peak levels and he managed that run-prevention mark in spite of a rough strikeout and walk rates. The now-former Twins and Royals right-hander fanned just 17.6% of his opponents well below Nick Martinez Jersey league-average and well below the 26.2% mark he carried into the season. The dip in strikeouts didnt come with improved command, either. Staumont, who walked 13% of his opponents with the Royals between 2019-23, i sued a free pa s to 13.7% of his opponents with the Twins. His 5.06 SIERA casts a far le s encouraging picture than his baseline ERA. Even with sub-par command, Staumont at one point looked to be breaking out as a solid member of the Kansas City bullpen in 2020-21. The 2015 second-rounder pitched 91 1/3 innings out of the Royals bullpen between those two seasons and turned in a sharp 2.76 ERA with an impre sive 29% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate. Staumont averaged better than 98 mph in 2020 and just shy of 97 mph in 2021. Injuries have since taken their toll, however. Hes mi sed time with biceps, knee, calf and a pair of neck injuries all since 2021, and his 2023 season ended when he underwent thoracic outlet surgery last summer. The Twins inked Staumont to a one-year, $950K contract in free agency over the winter. Theyre on the hook for the remainder of that sum, minus the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the Cubs big league roster (which would be paid by Chicago). If Staumont makes it up to the majors with the Cubs and impre ses them, hell be eligible for arbitration once more this winter and could thus be retained through the 2025 season. Leody Taveras Jersey