Chicago Cubs: Craig Kimbrel ready to return to form in 2020

With a normal offseason and a regular spring training, Craig Kimbrel is ready to be the piece the Chicago Cubs need him to be.

When the Chicago Cubs signed Craig Kimbrel to a three year deal worth $43 million on June 7, the expectation was that he would be the final piece to the puzzle. The Cubs needed a lockdown closer, and Kimbrel certainly had that track record. The seven time All Star and four time NL saves leader was expected to solve Chicago’s bullpen woes, pushing the team back to the postseason.

Instead, Kimbrel’s first season with the Cubs was a disaster. He made 23 appearances, sandwiched around a stint on the injured list and troubles with knee inflammation. In his 20.2 innings, he only served to further the Cubs bullpen issues, posting a 6.53 ERA and a 1.597 WHiP, striking out 30 batters, but also issuing 12 walks and allowing 21 hits.

Understandably, Kimbrel’s debut with the Cubs did not exactly inspire confidence. Closers tend to have a shorter shelf life than other pitchers, including other relievers. Kimbrel had dominated before, but after a somewhat shaky 2018 season, it may be fair to wonder if we were starting to see the cracks in the armor.

And yet, that is not fair to Kimbrel. He missed all of spring training, as well as most of the first three months of the season. There were only 20 days between his signing on June 7th and his Cubs debut on the 27th. Even though he had kept himself in shape, that is still a short amount of time to be ready to face major league competition.

This offseason has been much different. Kimbrel has not had to worry about finding a team for the coming year, allowing him to work out without that uncertainty hanging over his head. He is also getting a full workload in spring training, allowing him to work out the kinks before the games begin to count.

There are no excuses now. Kimbrel has the chance to go through his normal routine, getting ready to dominate once again in the ninth inning. His first two outings have not gone according to plan, as he has allowed two home runs in his 1.2 innings. However, he does have four strikeouts as well, with his fastball sitting between 94 and 96 MPH.

Spring training statistics generally do not mean anything. In Kimbrel’s case, considering his struggles last year, those home runs will be magnified. However, they are not what is truly important. Instead, he is getting his velocity back, refining his command and getting ready for the year. He is already showing signs that he is ready to return to form, and still has plenty of time to work out the kinks.

The Chicago Cubs need Craig Kimbrel to dominate once again in order to contend in a difficult NL Central. With a regular offseason and a full spring training workload, he should be ready to be a shutdown closer once again come Opening Day.