Call to the pen
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Chicago Cubs Rumors: Four relief options still available in free agency

By Paul Ashley

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 20: Bud Norris #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts to striking out Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of a game at Dodger Stadium on August 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 20: Bud Norris #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts to striking out Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of a game at Dodger Stadium on August 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Phillies
The Phillies may prefer to sign a left-handed setup man like Wilson. Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images. /

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.

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