Chicago Cubs Rumors: Four relief options still available in free agency
The Chicago Cubs have had a relatively quiet offseason to this point, but things could ramp up quickly now that some of the top free agents have started to come off of the board.
With rumors swirling around that the Chicago Cubs may pursue big names in free agency such as Bryce Harper, this offseason has not yet lived up to the anticipated excitement. Due to questions surrounding the Cubs quiet offseason, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein recently addressed the current thought process of the organization with Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
“There are times to be aggressive and times to be patient, and there are times when you can be aggressive and times where you have to be patient,” Epstein said. “Every offseason is unique. We’re working hard, and there are a lot of things we’re trying to do behind the scenes to make sure we have a successful season next year.”
“I know thus far we haven’t added the big names that get the fans excited,” Epstein continued. “I understand that’s part of the expectations in the offseason. But ultimately we’ll be judged by how we play, and we’re doing everything we can to have a really successful season and live up to our expectations and our standards.”
However, as pictures continue to surface of the Harper’s and Bryant’s spending time together during the offseason and as impact free agents continue to come off of the board, the patience of the fan base is thinning each day in regards to the Cubs free agent plans.
Nonetheless, as Epstein also alluded that the front office is continuously monitoring the free agent market while looking for something practical in it, the following are four free agent relievers that could potentially end up in the North Side of Chicago next season.
The Cleveland Indians recently took the Chicago Cubs to a seven-game World Series matchup in 2016 and the Cubs may be interested in signing a player that pitched well against them.
Cody Allen has compiled at least 24 saves in each season since 2014. During this time, he has pitched in 352 games with a 3.03 ERA, a 3.16 FIP, and a 1.148 WHIP. Although these are very solid numbers over a long period of time, Allen has not yet been able to earn a trip to the All-Star game.
Furthermore, MLB Trade Rumors predicts that Allen will only be able to receive a two-year, $16.00 million contract in free agency. As the Cubs are unlikely to sign a reliever to a three or four-year contract this offseason, Allen is another reliever the organization could attempt to add as he remains unsigned to this point in free agency.
Allen also has 17 games worth of postseason experience in which he has compiled a solid 3.10 ERA and 1.377 WHIP through 20.1 innings pitched. During this time, he has compiled an impressive 35 strikeouts compared to allowing 10 walks.
The Los Angeles Angels may currently be the largest competition for the services of Allen if he is interested in primarily being a closer. However, if he is open to a set-up role with occasional closing opportunities in order to join a team operating in win-now mode, the Cubs may be a better option for him.
Even though the Angels should never be overlooked with players such as Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani in the mix, they are in a tough spot as the Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros remain as the top two contenders to win the American League West division next season.
As there is a large amount of relief options currently available that are unknown to the Chicago Cubs, it is likely that the organization is keeping tabs on one of its own free agent relievers.
Justin Wilson was acquired by the Cubs from the Detroit Tigers prior to the 2017 trade deadline. Throughout the remainder of that season, he put together an uninspiring 5.09 ERA, 3.72 FIP, and 2.094 WHIP through 17.2 innings pitched. Although he struck out 25 batters, he also walked a staggering 19 batters during his first season on the North Side of Chicago.
However, in 2018, Wilson improved for the Cubs by putting together a 3.46 ERA, a 3.64 FIP, and a 1.427 WHIP through 54.2 innings pitched. He also improved on his strikeout-to-walk ratio by compiling 69 strikeouts compared to allowing 33 walks.
Even though Wilson will turn 32-years-old during the 2018 regular season, his velocity has remained consistent with his career averages. According to FanGraphs, he threw his fastball at a 94.7 mph average last season, which is down from his career average by only 0.5 mph.
Wilson also has six games of postseason experience in which he has compiled a 1.69 ERA and a 1.125 WHIP. Despite allowing 3 walks through these 5.1 career innings pitched during the postseason, he has only allowed 1 earned run while striking out 4 batters.
As Herrera showed last season following his trade to the Nationals, and as Wilson showed during his first two months with the Cubs, it may take time for pitchers to adjust to a new team, league, and market. Due to this, it makes sense for the organization to target a known commodity in the relief market as the team looks to return to the postseason for a fifth straight season.
The Baltimore Orioles recently had one of the best relievers to help bridge the gap to one of the best closers. Unfortunately for the O’s, it did not make sense to retain either player as the team entered a full rebuild, so both players were traded away ahead of the duo entering free agency.
Although Zach Britton is no longer an option for the Cubs after signing a multi-year contract to return to the New York Yankees, he was likely too expensive to pursue after the organization spent a large amount on pitching last offseason. Nonetheless, as Brad Brach is estimated by MLB Trade Rumors to receive a modest two-year, $12.00 million contract this offseason, he would be a perfect addition to the bullpen ahead of next season.
Throughout five seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Brach compiled a 2.99 ERA, a 3.51 FIP, and a 1.209 WHIP through 327.2 innings pitched. During this time, he had the opportunity to finish 96 games and secure 32 saves. He also earned an All-Star appearance in 2016 as he put together a 10-win season with a 2.05 ERA and 1.038 WHIP through 71 relief appearances.
However, as the Orioles have entered a full rebuild, Brach was moved to the Atlanta Braves ahead of the trade deadline last season. Although Herrera and Wilson did not have success when they joined up with new teams midseason, Brach was a phenomenal addition for the Braves push to the postseason.
Through 27 relief appearances with Atlanta, Brach compiled a 1.52 ERA, a 3.12 FIP, and a 1.310 WHIP. During these appearances, he struck out 22 batters in 23.2 innings pitched while allowing only 9 walks. This solid performance in crucial games during August and September proves that the soon-to-be 33-year-old has plenty left to offer.
Although relief pitchers such as Craig Kimbrel and Adam Ottavino are still free agents, the Cubs need to look at more practical options to strengthen their bullpen ahead of next season, as Theo Epstein recently pointed out.
Bud Norris has appeared in 355 games over the course of his 10-year career in which he has spent time with 7 different franchises. Although 188 of those appearances as a starting pitcher delivered inconsistent results, he has recently become a reliable option as a relief pitcher.
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During his first full season as a reliever in 2017 with the Los Angeles Angels, Norris put together a modest 4.21 ERA, a 3.90 FIP, and a 1.339 WHIP through 62.0 innings pitched with 74 strikeouts. During his second full season as a reliever in 2018 with the St. Louis Cardinals, he put together a solid 3.59 ERA, a 3.99 FIP, and a 1.249 WHIP through 57.2 innings pitched with 67 strikeouts.
Due to this newfound success in the bullpen, MLB Trade Rumors predicts him to receive a two-year, $12.00 million contract during the current offseason. Even though Norris will be entering his age-34 season in 2019, this type of commitment should not be considered a risk as his strikeout-to-walk ratio as well as his hits allowed per nine innings have continued to improve over the last two seasons.
As Theo Epstein made it clear that the Cubs are looking to make practical decisions this offseason after the signings of Yu Darvish, Tyler Chatwood, and Brandon Morrow from last offseason have not worked out, Norris would be a solid, safe option for the late inning mix in Wrigleyville.
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Recap of the four remaining relief options for the Chicago Cubs:
- Cody Allen
- Justin Wilson
- Brad Brach
- Bud Norris