Chicago Cubs additions and subtractions
Key additions: Tyler Chatwood, Yu Darvish, Brandon Morrow, Steve Chisek, Drew Smyly
Newcomer to watch: Yu Darvish. A lot has been made of the inevitable departure of Jake Arrieta from the Chicago Cubs. Adding Darvish to the rotation is an upgrade.
Although the enduring memory of Darvish from last year involves his struggles in the World Series, he pitched well for the Dodgers down the stretch. In his nine games in Los Angeles, Darvish posted a solid 3.44 ERA and a 1.168 WHiP, striking out 61 batters with only 13 walks in his 49.2 innings of work. The move to the National League suited the righty well.
With Darvish playing in front of the Cubs excellent defense, Darvish could put up similar numbers this season. He would also be facing a much weaker division in the NL Central than he contended with either in Los Angeles or in Texas. Darvish may not be the strikeout artist he had been before Tommy John surgery, but he should more than make up for the loss of Arrieta this season.
Biggest losses: Wade Davis, Hector Rondon, Jake Arrieta
Biggest loss: Wade Davis. While the Cubs made moves to improve the rotation, the bullpen took a major step backwards.
The biggest of the losses suffered by the bullpen has to be Davis. He was not quite the seemingly automatic cyborg that he was during his time with the Royals, but Davis was all but automatic in the ninth inning. He notched 32 saves in 33 opportunities, with a 2.30 ERA and a 1.142 WHiP, striking out 79 batters in 58.2 innings last year, providing Joe Maddon with a worry free option for the ninth.
As the Chicago Cubs roster is currently constructed, Brandon Morrow would get the first crack at closing. Carl Edwards would likely be the fallback plan in the event that Morrow faltered in the role. But for a team that traded for Aroldis Chapman and Wade Davis in consecutive years, this lack of attention to the closer role has to be concerning.