Cubs reliever Phil Maton still showcasing passion for development in Year 10

Phil Maton throws on the agility field at Cubs spring training in Mesa, AZ on February 12, 2026.John Antonoff / For the Sun-Times

SURPRISE, Ariz. – One of the advantages of signing early in the offseason for right-handed reliever Phil Maton was the extra months working with the Cubs’ coaching staff, providing a smooth transition into spring training.

“They’ve been on top of preparation, from pitch shaping, what do I wanted to do this offseason,” Maton said Monday. “Just been a lot of communication, pretty much, throughout the offseason.”

The two-year, $14 million contract Maton signed in late November was the first multi-year deal the Cubs had completed with a reliever since 2019 (Craig…