Yes, Rob Zastryzny and Jen-Ho Tseng have each filled in, but the Cubs in the Theo Era have not yet developed one permanent starting pitcher for the rotation. Through six drafts and six International Free Agent signing periods, nothing. Simply put, why have the Cubs failed, so far, to produce big league pitching on their own? Let’s […]
Category: Articles
Cubs Offseason Target: Alex Cobb
With the departures of Jake Arrieta and John Lackey from the Cubs starting rotation, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer find themselves with two spots to fill this offseason. This year’s starting pitching market offers a couple top-tier options like Yu Darvish and Arrieta, himself, as well as some high-upside, high-risk arms like Shohei Otani. But […]
2017 Player Profile: Pedro Strop
Position: Relief pitcher 2017 Stats: 60.1 IP, 26.0 K%, 10.4 BB%, 2.83 ERA, 3.42 DRA (72.7 DRA-), .270 BABIP, 59.2 GB%, 8.7 HR/FB% Year in Review: Pedro Strop has quietly been one of the best, most consistent relievers in baseball over the last five years, with DRA marks 30-50 percent better than league average and […]
CUBS OFFSEASON TARGET: Jackie Bradley Jr.
As the Chicago Cubs retool for the 2017-2018 season, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have made it clear that they will have to be creative in their efforts to bolster the Cubs’ current roster. The Cubs’ outfield depth has caused a logjam the last few years, but there may be space freed up soon as Kyle […]
2017 Player Profile: Brian Duensing
Position: Relief Pitcher 2017 Stats: 0 saves, 2.74 ERA/3.43 FIP/4.08 DRA, 89 cFIP, 8.8 K/9, 0.8 WARP Year in Review: When Brian Duensing signed with the Cubs for 1 year/$2 million last December, many thought the move was a call for depth heading into the 2017 season. But Duensing far exceeded the organization’s expectations, throwing the second most […]
Cubs Target Profile: Pat Neshek
After a poor off-season, the Cubs will look to bolster a talented, but inconsistent bullpen heading into the 2018 season. One emphasis you’ll see as the Cubs add to the pen is finding guys who keep walks to a minimum. For the 2017 season, the Cubs bullpen led all of baseball with an 11.2 percent […]
2017 Player Profile: Wade Davis
Position: Relief Pitcher 2017 Stats: 32 saves, 2.30 ERA/3.39 FIP/2.99 DRA, 80 cFIP, 12.1 K/9, 1.4 WARP Year in Review: The quality of Wade Davis’ performance since he became a reliever has been so good that this was in many ways his worst year since 2013, when he was still predominantly a starter. While his […]
Cubs Offseason Target: Chris Archer
Position: Starting Pitcher 2017 Stats: 201.0 IP, 3.52 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.23 WHIP, 29.2 K%, 7.0 BB%, 3.30 DRA How He Fits: The Cubs have been in pursuit of long-term rotation pieces for the last three years. That isn’t a secret. Part of their quest culminated in the acquisition of Jose Quintana, but with the […]
Cubs Offseason Target: Curtis Granderson
Position: Outfielder 2017 Stats: .212/.323/.452, .285 TAv, 26 home runs How He Fits: You might be thinking to yourself, “The Cubs are already loaded in the outfield, why do they need Curtis Granderson?” Well that is certainly true, but there will be a veteran outfield spot on this team that might be need to be filled if […]
The Most Important Non-Factor on Cubs’ Playoff Roster
As the trade deadline struck on July 31, 2017, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein probably felt terrific. He had checked off every box on his midseason shopping list. Cubs needed to add another starter? Epstein had pulled off a shocking deal to acquire left-hander Jose Quintana from the crosstown White Sox. Cubs were […]