Caleb Thielbar

Chicago Cubs, Relief Pitcher
Age: 39y-1m-7d (Jan 31, 1987)
Exp: 7.131 Years
Country: US
College: South Dakota State
Drafted: Round 18 (#556 overall), 2009
Agent(s): ISE Baseball
2026 Payroll Salary

$4,000,000

2026 Cash

$4,000,000

Career Earnings

$11,458,182

2026-2027 Free Agent (CURRENT)

Caleb Thielbar signed a 1 year, $4,500,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs, including $4,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,500,000. In 2026, Thielbar will earn a base salary of $4,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $4,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $4,500,000
Average Salary:
$4,500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2028 / UFA
YOS @ Signing:
7.131
Year Age YOS Status PayrollAnnual Luxury Tax Tax % League Tax Cash Annual Cash Cumulative
2026 39 7.131 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 1.84% $4,000,000 $4,000,000
2027 40 7.131
Mutual
 - $4,500,000 - $500,000 $4,500,000
2028 41 -
UFA
Year Age Service Status Base Salary Incentives Likely Incentives Unlikely Payroll Salary Luxury Tax
2026 39 7.131 $4,000,000 - - $4,000,000 $4,500,000
2027 40 -
Mutual
 - - - - $4,500,000
2028 41 --
UFA
Year Age Status Base Salary Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2026 39 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 $4,000,000 $4,500,000 $4,000,000 $2,250,000
2027 40
Mutual
 $500,000 $500,000 $4,500,000 $500,000 $2,250,000 $500,000
Contract Notes

  • 2027 mutual option includes a $500,000 buyout
  • Incentive Available

Source: MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2025-2025 Free Agent

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $2,750,000
Average Salary:
$2,750,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
6.131
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2024-2024 Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,225,000
Average Salary:
$3,225,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
5.131
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2023-2023 Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $2,400,000
Average Salary:
$2,400,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
4.131
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2022-2022 Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $1,300,000
Average Salary:
$1,300,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
3.131
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2021-2021 Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $700,000
Average Salary:
$700,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
2.131
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2020-2020 free-agent-restricted

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $563,500
Average Salary:
$563,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
1.131
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2015-2015 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $520,000
Average Salary:
$520,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
1.131
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2014-2014 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $510,000
Average Salary:
$510,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0.131
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2013-2013 Pre-Arbitration

Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $490,000
Average Salary:
$490,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
YOS @ Signing:
0
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Seasons

7.131 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$11,458,182

Earnings w/ Different Teams

3 teams

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Service Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2013 26
0
Active
$356,120
$356,120
2014 27
1.131
Active
$510,000
$866,120
2015 28
1.131
Reserve / minor-buried
$42,622
$908,742
2020 33
1.131
Active
$174,440
$1,083,182
2021 34
2.131
Active / Arb Avoided
$700,000
$1,783,182
2022 35
3.131
Active / Arb Avoided
$1,300,000
$3,083,182
2023 36
4.131
Active / Arb Avoided
$2,400,000
$5,483,182
2024 37
5.131
Active / Arb Avoided
$3,225,000
$8,708,182
2025 38
6.131
Active
$2,750,000
$11,458,182
Total      
$11,458,182
$11,458,182
2026 39
7.131
Active
$4,000,000
2027 40
7.131
Active / Mutual
$500,000
Total
$15,958,182

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
7 $8,665,560 - - $8,665,560
1 $42,622 - - $42,622
1 $2,750,000 - - $2,750,000
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2013
26
$356,120
$356,120
$356,120
2014
27
$510,000
$510,000
$866,120
2015
28
$42,622
$42,622
$908,742
2020
33
$174,440
$174,440
$1,083,182
2021
34
$700,000
$700,000
$1,783,182
2022
35
$1,300,000
$1,300,000
$3,083,182
2023
36
$2,400,000
$2,400,000
$5,483,182
2024
37
$3,225,000
$3,225,000
$8,708,182
2025
38
$2,750,000
$2,750,000
$11,458,182
Total
$11,458,182
$11,458,182
$11,458,182
2026
39
$4,000,000
$4,000,000
2027
40
$500,000
$500,000
Total
$15,958,182
$15,958,182

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
7 $8,665,560 - - $8,665,560
1 $42,622 - - $42,622
1 $2,750,000 - - $2,750,000

Injuries

Year Dates Reason
2024 MIN Mar 28, 2024 - Apr 14, 2024 Hamstring
2023 MIN Jun 09, 2023 - Jul 30, 2023 Oblique
2023 MIN May 05, 2023 - Jun 04, 2023 Oblique
2022 MIN Jul 22, 2022 - Aug 03, 2022 Hamstring
2022 MIN Jun 03, 2022 - Jun 06, 2022 COVID-19
2021 MIN Jun 03, 2021 - Jun 16, 2021 Groin
2021 MIN Apr 20, 2021 - Apr 24, 2021 COVID-19
  • Dec 16, 2025 Signed a 1 year $4.5 million contract with Chicago (CHC), including a 2027 mutual option
  • Jan 01, 2025 Signed a 1 year $2.75 million contract with Chicago (CHC)
  • Jan 11, 2024 Signed a 1 year $3.225 million contract with Minnesota (MIN), avoiding arbitration
  • Jan 13, 2023 Signed a 1 year $2.4 million contract with Minnesota (MIN), avoiding arbitration
  • Nov 30, 2021 Signed a 1 year $1.3 million contract with Minnesota (MIN), avoiding arbitration
  • Dec 02, 2020 Signed a 1 year $700,000 contract with Minnesota (MIN)
  • Dec 13, 2019 Signed a minor league contract with Minnesota (MIN)
  • Aug 30, 2019 Traded to Atlanta (ATL) from Detroit (DET) for cash considerations
  • Nov 09, 2018 Signed a minor league contract with Detroit (DET)
  • Jan 23, 2018 Signed a minor league contract with Detroit (DET)
  • Apr 06, 2017 Released by Miami (MIA)
  • Nov 17, 2016 Signed a contract with Miami (MIA)
  • Aug 08, 2015 Claimed off waivers by San Diego (SD)
  • Mar 03, 2015 Signed a 1 year $520k contract with Minnesota (MIN)
  • Mar 03, 2014 Signed a 1 year $510k contract with Minnesota (MIN)
  • Jun 24, 2009 Drafted by Milwaukee (MIL): Round 18 (#556 overall)
Year Team GP GS H R ER BB K HR W L SV IP ERA WHIP WAR
2025 CHC 67 0 38 17 17 13 56 5 3 4 1 58.0 2.64 0.88 1.07
2024 MIN 59 0 50 33 28 24 53 6 2 4 3 47.3 5.32 1.56 -0.58
2023 MIN 36 0 23 12 11 6 36 7 3 1 0 30.7 3.23 0.95 0.71
2022 MIN 67 0 51 26 23 18 80 5 4 3 1 59.3 3.49 1.16 0.54
2021 MIN 59 0 55 24 23 20 77 8 7 0 0 64.0 3.23 1.17 1.22
2020 MIN 17 0 14 6 5 9 22 0 2 1 0 20.0 2.25 1.15 0.45
2015 MIN 6 0 5 3 3 0 5 0 0 0 0 5.0 5.40 1.00 -0.04
2014 MIN 54 0 51 19 18 16 35 3 2 1 0 47.7 3.40 1.41 0.82
2013 MIN 49 0 24 11 9 14 39 4 3 2 0 46.0 1.76 0.83 1.33

Calculated Market Value

$5.4M Avg. Annual Salary

Market Value

  • 1 years, $5,410,297
  • Avg. Salary: $5,410,297
  • MLB Rank: 277
  • RP Rank: 47

Current Contract

  • Free Agent: 2028
  • Avg. Salary: $4,500,000
  • MLB Rank: 296
  • RP Rank: 50

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Caleb Thielbar to.

Player Length Value Avg. Salary Age When Signed
Joakim Soria 1 $3,500,000 $3,500,000 36
Tommy Kahnle 1 $7,750,000 $7,750,000 35
Ryan Brasier 2 $9,000,000 $4,500,000 36
Joe Kelly 1 $8,000,000 $8,000,000 35
Averages 1 $7,062,500 $5,937,500 35.5

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Thielbar's current age (39), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length Value Avg. Salary
1 $5,321,429 $5,321,429

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Thielbar statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GP/Yr, SV, ERA, WHIP, K/9, BB/9, FIP, WAR

Player GP/Yr SV ERA WHIP K/9 BB/9 FIP WAR
Joakim Soria
2019-2020
 46.50 0.03 3.56 1.14 9.98 3.32 3.29 0.69
Tommy Kahnle
2023-2024
 45.50 0.03 2.39 1.13 10.16 4.11 3.99 1.40
Ryan Brasier
2022-2023
 63.50 0.02 4.40 1.16 8.84 2.38 3.38 0.27
Joe Kelly
2022-2023
 42.50 0.02 5.10 1.40 13.31 4.86 2.89 -0.50
Average 49.50 0.03 3.86 1.21 10.57 3.67 3.39 0.47
Caleb Thielbar
2024-2025
 60.00 0.03 3.68 1.18 9.46 3.30 3.35 0.39
Pct Change 21.21 0.00 4.66 2.48 -10.50 10.08 1.18 -17.02
Median Prime % Change 1.83%
Average Prime % Change 1.51%

Calculated Market Value: Caleb Thielbar

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms Avg. Salary
1 years, $5,410,297 $5,410,297
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