It’s safe to say the Chicago Cubs are a well built team. There are barely any holes to fill offensively, and Joe Maddon’s new phrase “D-peat” has the team paying a lot of attention to improving things defensively. However, with the player’s in the dugout putting a lot of focus into their game on both sides of the ball, those in the bullpen are left to find out how they can also better their team.
The Cubs one area of weakness may be their bullpen depth, and if the team is looking to repeat as World Series champs there must be a group of arms that produce high quality outings.
With a team pressured by high expectations, let’s take a look at the Cubs top five best bullpen options.
5. Justin Grimm
Landing at the number five slot for the Cubs is a familiar-face, Justin Grimm. The right-handed pitcher edged out 25-year-old Carl Edwards Jr. for the fifth spot because of his past experience with the team. Edwards Jr. has only been in the league since 2015 and, while having a relatively strong 2016, he still has a lot to prove. Grimm has strung together a 4.64 career era, and while that number may not stand out to the common fan, his production has been rather consistent. The Cubs know what to expect when Grimm comes into pitch and, when used in common relief appearances, he can more than hold his own.
4. Pedro Strop
Many Cubs fans didn’t know what to expect when the crooked hat wearing Pedro Strop came into the picture early in 2013. A trade with the Baltimore Orioles was what brought him and teammate Jake Arrieta to Chicago’s north side. While Arrieta’s two no-hitters and Cy Young Award have overshadowed the addition of Strop to the bullpen, it doesn’t mean Strop hasn’t been an important part of the Cubs success. Strop has put up an ERA under three in all of his full seasons with the Cubs so far. In addition, he has been a go-to call when the team needs to find their way out of a jam. Strop has been able to rise to the occasion more than once and he is always taking the mound with a high energy. There is no question that Cubs Manager Joe Maddon feels more than comfortable signaling the bullpen for his name. Not to mention, Strop signed an extension with the team during the offseason keeping him in Chicago until 2018 with an option for 2019, showing the team’s confidence in him.
3. Hector Rondon
Hector Rondon started with the Cubs in 2013 and the organization had sights on him becoming their future closer, but as time went on he, primarily, fell into the late relief or set-up man role. Even though he may typically be used in those late game situations, Rondon has been able to come into games whenever his name is called and put up great numbers. In the 2016 season, Rondon had a 3.53 ERA but battled injury and only appeared in 54 games. In the season prior, he was one of the best bullpen options in the league posting a 1.67 ERA in 72 appearances. When healthy, Rondon is one of the strongest bullpen option in all of major league baseball. The door isn’t completely shut on the idea of Rondon being a closer either, as he has the power and talent to do so, but no matter the scenario, he is always a valuable choice.
2. Wade Davis
New to the Cubs, Wade Davis is a talented pitcher coming off some extremely productive years with the Kansas City Royals. The Cubs traded for Davis in the offseason looking for a new closer after the departure of, then free agent, Aroldis Chapman. Davis is one of the most sought out closers in all of baseball and his last three seasons in Kansas City is the reasons why. Over those three years with the Royals, Davis finished with a 1.00, 0.94, and 1.87 ERA. He also found himself as a 2015 and 2016 all-star. When it comes down to it, Davis knows how to read batters and finish games off quickly. He has a strong arm and deadly fastball that will continue to give any batter a hard time. In addition, as a former starter, Davis has long lasting stamina and the ability to read a game carefully. While he will continue to be used as a closer, the Cubs could look at him as a tool for any game scenario.
1. Mike Montgomery
- Many Chicagoans may not have known his name when the Cubs traded for him in July of last season, but Mike Montgomery is a bullpen asset that knows how to control a game. The 27-year-old lefty comes with plenty of versatility. He can use his fastball to power a pitch down the middle, channel his changeup to slow things down, or catch a batter off guard with his curve.
Montgomery is basically a bullpen starter who was even being considered as an addition to the starting rotation earlier this offseason. Opting to keep him in the bullpen, he can come into the game at any point and pitch for an extended period of time. If a starter gets in trouble early, Montgomery can easily take over the action and pitch far more innings than the average relief arm.
He had a 2.82 ERA in 17 regular season game appearances for the Cubs in 2016 and worked as one of the go-to arms during the playoffs as well. Montgomery will see his fair share of action this season and after being the guy on the mound that ended Game 7 of the World Series, expect Chicago Cubs fans to always know the name Mike Montgomery.
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