As left-handed specialists are a rare commodity throughout major league baseball, the Cubs should pounce on one that is currently a free agent after being non-tendered by his former club.
Xavier Cedeno was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2004 before the organization released him in 2010. Since that time, he has shuffled around between the Houston Astros, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers.
Although he has spent time with seven different organizations, he possesses solid career numbers with a 3.69 ERA, a 3.59 FIP, and a 1.366 WHIP through 249 appearances. Last season, Cedeno put together a 2.43 ERA, 2.95 FIP, and a 1.260 WHIP through 48 appearances.
Prior to last season, he was non-tendered by the Rays which allowed him to sign a one-year contract with the White Sox. During his 33 appearances with the White Sox, he put together a 2.84 ERA, a 3.00 FIP, and a 1.263 WHIP. This performance caused the Brewers to send Bryan Connell and Johan Dominguez to the south side in order to acquire Cedeno for a postseason push.
During his time in Milwaukee, Cedeno put together an impressive 1.13 ERA, 2.79 FIP, and a 1.250 WHIP through 15 appearances. Cedeno was projected to receive a modest $1.50 million through arbitration next season, so he was likely non-tendered for 40-man roster flexibility instead of for payroll purposes. Despite being non-tendered after allowing 2 earned runs during his four postseason appearances in the NLDS last season, Cedeno would be a strong bullpen addition.