Leeper and the Bullpen, Trading for Stearns, Schwarber, Fergie, and Other Cubs Bullets

Nov 04, 2022

Went out with a friend last night and played some old school arcade games, so that was fun. I’m still an absolutely pro at Off Road.

I think this is very good and useful and interesting information on Cubs relief prospect Ben Leeper, but I have a but:

Great research by @cconnolly_23 on the 2022 @IowaCubs and on RHP Ben Leeper.

2022 stats: 4.50 ERA in 42 games. 11.2 K/9, 1.17 WHIP.

3 blowup outings: 13 ER in 1.2 IP (97.50 ERA)
39 other outings: 10 ER in 44.1 IP (2.04 ERA)

MUCH better year than overall numbers indicated. https://t.co/jj9poTRLPG— Alex Cohen (@voiceofcohen) November 3, 2022

While it COULD be comforting to note that Leeper, 25, was dominant outside of those three implosion outings, don’t we also have to note that those implosions did happen? Unless there was something deeply flukey about those three that cannot and will not be repeated in the future, I would think it’s a mild concern about what could happen in the future, not something to toss away as no big deal. Leeper was such a dramatic breakout guy in 2021 that anything short of reaching the big leagues and being an impact arm in 2022 felt like a mild disappointment (which was a SUPER unfair expectation in the first place), but there’s no reason he shouldn’t still be viewed as a potentially very important relief arm for the Cubs.

My quick eyeballing of the game log suggests that the really rough outings were the product of some extreme wildness; so maybe there is a fluke there? Or something addressable? You’d like to have Leeper on the radar as an up-down guy in 2023, because he’s got big-league-caliber pitches (he is Rule 5 eligible after the 2023 season, so he does not have to go on the 40-man this mont, but could comfortably come up any time next season). He will be someone to watch in Spring Training.

Leeper is part of a big group of Double-A/Triple-A/MLB relief arms who could and should find the Cubs not only some useful up-down guys, but also at least one or two breakouts like Brandon Hughes. And that’s outside of guys like Keegan Thompson and Adbert Alzolay who might wind up in the bullpen as multi-inning weapons. Oh, and that’s also outside of surprise guys who fly up through the system rapidly like Jeremiah Estrada did. I remain very bullish on the Cubs’ ability to have a great bullpen in 2023.

Jon Heyman reports that the Brewers are not expected to allow David Stearns to interview for any other jobs this offseason since he’s still under contract for 2023, even though he stepped down as president. Which, come on now: that’s just the Brewers’ way of saying they want to make a trade if you’re going to try to interview him now. If the Mets or Astros want him, then they will have to step up; otherwise, he’ll just hit free agency after 2023 and you never know what might happen. Either way, sounds like Stearns is gone after 2023 to some other team. Now we’ll see if Matt Arnold has the same secret sauce for the Brewers as Stearns did.

The Atlanta Braves (owned by a publicly-traded company, so we get to see financial data) spent more this year, but also kept winning, and therefore were still PROFITABLE in the third quarter:

Atlanta Braves revenue in Q3 rose by 8% to $252 million, but operating income fell by nearly two thirds to $13 million, due in part to rising expenses (inc player payroll). Still, life remains very good for last year's MLB champions.— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBG) November 4, 2022

Kyle Schwarber, who knows something about going on the road for the final two games of a World Series and winning, channels ‘The Scientist’ when talking about what comes next for the Phillies: “No one said this was easy. We’ve overcome a lot of things throughout the course of this year to be in this position. I think when we get there, you’re going to see a really resilient club and we’re going to play until the very end and we’re going to see where it takes us. It’s going to take everything. It’s going to take everyone. We’re excited. Trust me. Sure, it’s frustrating [to lose Game 5], but we’re also very excited.”

Schwarber is the first player in history to homer in every type of postseason series:

AL WC, NL WC, ALDS, NLDS, ALCS, NLCS, WS https://t.co/RG3yaTXwOp
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) November 4, 2022

On Chas McCormick’s possibly-game-saving catch:

Chas McCormick made the catch of his life in his home state against his favorite childhood team. His message to Phillies fans? "Sorry guys." 😂

Check out how he made the clutch play in center field with @CY24_7.#MLBTonight | #LevelUp | #WorldSeries | @chazzyfizzz pic.twitter.com/lHLFcLOJPp— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 4, 2022

30(!) complete games:

#OTD in 1971, Fergie Jenkins received the National League Cy Young Award. He was the first @Cubs pitcher and the first Canadian to win the award. The righty led the league with 24 wins, 39 starts, 30 complete games and 325 innings pitched. pic.twitter.com/43L5ulaMfw— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) November 3, 2022

Hey, sure, why not:

Just a video of Ichiro pitching and Daisuke Matsuzaka playing shortstop. pic.twitter.com/8vJsEOsQG0
— Michael Mayer (@mikemayer22) November 3, 2022

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Marlins at Cubs – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: The White Sox Might be the Worst Team Ever, What Games I’m Watching this Weekend, More

Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Can I Interest You in a Positive Injury-Update on Justin Steele?

Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

FAA Reportedly Investigating How a Passenger on Colorado Rockies Team Flight Was Seen Accessing the Cockpit

If you do this job long enough, it's really wild to see the range of topics that can somehow become attached to sports. That is to say, I did not envision myself at some point writing about flight safety, cockpit...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 19, 2024: Kevin Alcántara is Heating Up!

The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Moves: Wisdom and Taillon Are Back, Wesneski and Mastrobuoni Are Out

Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...

Michael Cerami

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Tonight’s Cubs-Marlins Game Has Been Postponed

The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...

Brett Taylor

Apr 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Paul Skenes Could Make His MLB Debut Any Day (But Probably Won’t), Red-Hot Orioles, Houck’s Maddux, More

If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 18, 2024

Picks

Blue Jays vs. Padres Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

The Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) will look to Daulton Varsho, who is coming off a two-homer game, to lead them in a matchup with the San Diego Padres (11-10) Friday at 9:40 PM ET on SDPA. The Blue Jays are...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Giants vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

The San Francisco Giants (9-11), led by Jung Hoo Lee on a 10-game hitting streak, will meet the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-11) Friday at Oracle Park. The Giants are -129 favorites for the matchup, which starts at 10:15 PM ET on...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

The New York Mets (10-8) roll into Friday's matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9) looking to extend a four-game winning streak. The contest starts at 10:10 PM ET on MLB Network with the Dodgers listed as -205 favorites on...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Kings – Friday, April 19, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans play the Sacramento Kings at 9:30 PM ET on Friday, in the NBA Play-In Tournament, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires just one make from Jonas Valančiūnas.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Brandon Ingram Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Kings – Friday, April 19, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Brandon Ingram must make two from beyond the arc on Friday, when his New Orleans Pelicans play the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament, tipping off at 9:30 PM ET.Brandon Ingram's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

CJ McCollum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Kings – Friday, April 19, 2024

On Friday at 9:30 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans meet the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament, and CJ McCollum's 3-pointer over/under for this clash requires four treys.CJ McCollum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the KingsCJ McCollum's over/under for...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

Domantas Sabonis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Friday, April 19, 2024

At 9:30 PM ET on Friday, in the NBA Play-In Tournament, it'll be the Sacramento Kings against the New Orleans Pelicans -- with Domantas Sabonis needing to score just once from beyond the arc to beat his 3-pointer prop.Domantas Sabonis'...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Picks

De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Friday, April 19, 2024

De'Aaron Fox must make three 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Sacramento Kings play the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday at 9:30 PM ET, in the NBA Play-In Tournament.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Can I Interest You in a Positive Injury-Update on Justin Steele?

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Leeper and the Bullpen, Trading for Stearns, Schwarber, Fergie, and Other Cubs Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular