Call to the pen
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Chicago Cubs: 2016 in Review

By Jason Evans

Oct 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs fan Jason Gilley holds a sign outside Wrigley Field before game four of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs fan Jason Gilley holds a sign outside Wrigley Field before game four of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bullpen

The Cubs re-made their bullpen at the trade deadline to make it deeper and it certainly paid dividends.

The Cubs added Aroldis Chapman, Joe Smith and Mike Montgomery at the deadline. Montgomery is guy who could find himself as a starter, maybe even as soon as next year. He’s started before, but the Cubs needed him as a lefty in the bullpen.

Chapman was his usual self closing games for the Cubs, posting a 1.01 ERA and a 15.9 K/9 ratio as a closer.  He replaced Hector Rondon as closer who regressed a bit this season after a sparkling 1.67 ERA and 30 save season in 2015. Rondon will find himself again in a late game role for the Cubs depending on what they do in free agency with Chapman or any of the other available closers.

Young right-hander Carl Edwards is going to be a big part of the bullpen moving forward, averaging 13 K/9 and giving Joe Maddon another power righty in the bullpen. They will have to figure out left-hander next year. Travis Wood is a free agent and Rob Zastryzny came up as a starter and may have that role moving forward.

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