Back-End Relief Options for the Cubs, Pitcher Service Time, Catcher Split, and Other Cubs Bullets

Feb 01, 2023

There is a rumor going around that a number of MLB big wigs are gathering in Las Vegas today to discuss the possible A’s move there, so I wonder if we’re going to get any big news on that front today …

Eno Sarris wrote about closer tiers from a pitch analysis perspective, and there are actually quite a few Cubs-connected mentions. I think it’s particularly interesting to see those Cubs mentions since we know that the Cubs do not currently have a clear closer in place. The first mention goes to Rowan Wick in the “is he a closer?” group, given his above-average Stuff+ and presumably his previously-thought trajectory as a future closer. I’m not sure he’s going to be the guy when all is said and done, but I think it was very clear a year and a half ago that the Cubs WANTED him to be the guy. You could tell from the way he was used that David Ross and the Cubs saw closer traits there. But Wick’s performance was uneven, with the results ceasing to match the stuff (and the command getting too shaky). Maybe he gets a shot this year, given the lack of other obvious options at the moment, but I’d be perfectly content for him to just re-establish himself as a solid late-inning option. Perhaps the changes he made late in the year will help.

The other two mentions go to new Cub Julian Merryweather and youngster Jeremiah Estrada as possible sleepers. It’s not actually a surprise to see Merryweather here, despite the fact that he was available on waivers – the stuff is outstanding, so if your basis for the list is individual pitch analysis, he’s gonna show up. His 121 Stuff+ metric is right up there with guys like Brusdar Graterol, Matt Brash, and Jhoan Duran, among many others. It’s just that he hasn’t been able to put it together into actual success, thanks mostly to mediocre command and health questions.

As for Estrada, the stuff is through the roof, with his four-seam fastball tied with Jacob deGrom’s(!) for the sixth best in baseball. The sample is tiny, and we know that it only plays if he can locate it up and pair it with an effective slider. But the bones are there, and Sarris writes, “That’s the list of the best four-seam fastballs in baseball by Stuff+ in the revised model. Dollars to doughnuts (Estrada is) the closer by the end of the year if not April.” I might take that bet, only because of the many plausible options and the possibility that Estrada could be a little bit up-down as he establishes himself as a back-end reliever. But I think we all know the Cubs see closer upside in Estrada. He has that type of arm, and he rocketed up from High-A to the big leagues last year for a reason.

Among the many other possible Cubs closers this year: Brad Boxberger as a veteran, Codi Heuer if he returns strong, Adbert Alzolay certainly has the stuff (only question is if he’s more valuable in multi-innings), Ethan Roberts seemed possible pre-surgery, Brandon Hughes probably wouldn’t because he’s the only lefty, and then there is some guy yet unsigned. I figure it’s gonna be another year of just seeing how it goes for a while until someone stands out or a rhythm is established.

People want to give the Cubs crap for how they manage the service time of young players (as all teams do), but the Dodgers are easily the most extreme, despite being one of the “richest” teams. Consider that the Dodgers just signed pitcher Tony Gonsolin to a two-year deal to avoid arbitration … and it’s just his first two of four arbitration years. That’s right, Tony Gonsolin, who has already pitched in significant portions of FOUR BIG LEAGUE SEASONS, was only just now a SUPER TWO. He doesn’t even have three years of service time yet! Gonsolin turns 29 in May, so he won’t reach free agency until his age 33 season despite being a guy who reached the big leagues at 25. And it’s not like he was a struggling performer who had to be shuffled up and down because he was figuring things out – dude has a 2.51 ERA in the big leagues!

A lot of that goes ditto for Julio Urias, who is about to appear in his 8th season for the Dodgers, and will only just now tick over six years service time, again, despite being a dude with a 2.81 career ERA. Thing is, when you are overloaded with pitching options, it becomes justifiable/understandable/whatever to be optioning very good young pitchers down from time to time. It’s not *really* about service-time manipulation, because the other guy who is taking those big league innings is also really good! One guy has options left, the other guy doesn’t. Simple as that. It’s a model that a lot of teams would love to employ if they had the volume of controllable talent that the Dodgers have had, and I suppose my point is: don’t give the Cubs crap for it if and when it’s something you see from them in the years ahead as they (theoretically/hopefully) get overloaded with young pitching.

A very nerdy thing I was curious about: which of the Cubs’ two catchers is being drafted higher in verrrrry deep fantasy leagues? In other words, I was curious which catcher the fantasy players of the world believe will see more playing time for the Cubs in 2023. Turns out, Yan Gomes is getting drafted way earlier than Tucker Barnhart, on average, which I find to be a mild surprise. Yes, Gomes has slightly better offensive projections and Barnhart is coming off a terrible offensive year in Detroit, but Barnhart has the stronger side of the platoon if the Cubs go that route, and is also three years younger. My gut has been that it would be pretty close to a 50/50 split, if both guys are healthy, with maybe a slight bit more playing time going to Barnhart (because of the lefty bat and the age). In either case, I wouldn’t recommend drafting them for fantasy purposes! That’s not why the Cubs got them in the first place …

Marcus Stroman was on CBS’s morning show to talk about the importance of mental health for athletes, something he’s been big on for a long time:

“If you truly dedicate anything to what you want to do in life, you can accomplish it”: @Cubs pitcher @STR0 says that prioritizing mental health can help athletes give their best effort on the field.

He shares how his own mental health journey inspired his new children's book. pic.twitter.com/C3GR1DbDuG— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) January 31, 2023

David Ross when he gets behind the plate this year:

What in the world …

A Coach Impersonated One of Her Teenage Players During a High School Basketball Gamehttps://t.co/VfcCbOr72t pic.twitter.com/dpg2YlrYOC— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) January 31, 2023

And now he finally returns to baseball, where the Montreal Expos still hold his rights from the 1995 MLB Draft:

Tom Brady Announces His Retirementhttps://t.co/UzVAkPcUTU pic.twitter.com/7yUW6Wbjgk
— Bleacher Nation NFL (@BN_Touchdown) February 1, 2023

I mean, I joke, but it wouldn’t actually be THAT crazy for the Washington Nationals (the current incarnation of the Expos) to ask Brady to come to Spring Training for a day and have some fun. We’ve seen it before, and maybe Brady would want to take some hacks.

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

Enhanced Box Score: Braves 2, Cubs 0 – May 13, 2024

Well that ninth inning rally started off great, with Cody Bellinger and Christopher Morel reaching, the latter on 12-pitch walk (the longest PA of his career). And then POOF. In just two pitches, the Cubs made three outs and the...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Craig Counsell Was Just Thrown Out from the Dugout … by the First Base Umpire

Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the toughest opponent the Cubs will face this season. But Seiya Suzuki is back, Cody Bellinger is back, and Shota Imanaga is on the mound. This Cubs team is...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns (UPDATE)

It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Let’s See How They Measure Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

For the Second Time in a Few Days, Birthday Boy Nico Hoerner Saved the Game

A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Padres Best the Dodgers, Skenes Debut Reactions, Guardians New Threads, More

The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

How to Watch

Dodgers vs. Giants: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15), led by Mookie Betts, visit Thairo Estrada and the San Francisco Giants (19-23) on Tuesday at 9:45 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need to know to watch Los Angeles take on...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Cardinals vs. Angels: Live Stream or on TV

The St. Louis Cardinals (16-24), led by Brendan Donovan, visit Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (15-26) at 9:38 PM ET on Tuesday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the St. Louis-Los Angeles matchup below.When...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

How to Watch

Diamondbacks vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22), led by Ketel Marte, host Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Arizona play Cincinnati live.When is...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

How to Watch

Mariners vs. Royals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Tuesday, Logan Gilbert will take the mound for the Seattle Mariners (22-19) against Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals (25-17), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.If you're trying to watch this game, keep...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

In a series opener on Tuesday, Dylan Cease will take the mound for the San Diego Padres (22-21) versus Cal Quantrill and the Colorado Rockies (12-28), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park.Keep reading to see...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees Series May 14-16: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

A three-game series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the visiting New York Yankees will begin on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET.Twins vs. Yankees Series Info Yankees @ Twins Time: Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET Twins Starting...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

How to Watch

Rangers vs. Guardians: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Tuesday, Jack Leiter will start for the Texas Rangers (22-20) against Ben Lively and the Cleveland Guardians (25-16), with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 PM ET at Globe Life Field.Keep reading to find out all the details on how...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Astros vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

On Tuesday at 8:10 PM ET, Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (15-25) play Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics (19-23) at Minute Maid Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch Houston take...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Craig Counsell Was Just Thrown Out from the Dugout … by the First Base Umpire

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Red Sox vs. Rays: Live Stream or on TV

The Boston Red Sox (21-20), led by Jarren Duran, host Isaac Paredes and the Tampa Bay Rays (21-21) on Tuesday at 7:10 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Boston-Tampa...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Back-End Relief Options for the Cubs, Pitcher Service Time, Catcher Split, and Other Cubs Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular