Chicago Cubs Trade Deadline Preview
By Ron Juckett
THE PITCHING
If you think the Cubs are Jake Arrieta and his little brothers, think again.
No Cubs starter has an ERA worse than John Lackey’s 2.88. The Adjusted ERA+ translates to 140 or 40 percent above league average. As a team, the Adjusted ERA+ is 156. With a true ERA of 2.60—yes, 2.60—you would think this unit is ready for October now.
They are, but the Cubs have an interest in New York Yankees lefty reliever Andrew Miller, with some suggesting Kyle Schwarber being dangled in front of the Yankees’ eyes if they are sellers come July.
With two lefties in the pen, Travis Wood and Clayton Richard, the team could use another lefty arm. Wood is off to a great start, a WHIP of 0.955 in 22 innings with an ERA of 2.45. Richard, on the other hand, has an ERA of 8.00 and a WHIP of 2.111. Again, you can paper over that hole in August, but October is different.
None of Chicago’s five starters have missed a start. In fact, the Cubs have only used five all year. Unless an injury pops up, and Jason Hammel’s legs had him leave a start early last week, the Cubs will go with what they have.
Out of the pen, Justin Grimm, along with Richard, has an Adjusted ERA+ of under 100. Yet, Grimm’s WHIP is 1.161. As a team, the pen has a 7-5 won/loss record. Hector Rondon has 11 saves with a WHIP of 0.672. Safe to say the Cubs are set.
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