Key Takeaways:
– Despite injuries, Chicago Cubs share first place in the National League Central.
– Club’s president, Jed Hoyer, is reportedly in search of a closer.
– Cubs bullpen ranks sixth for most dreadful ERA in majors and has conceded the fourth most walks.
– Cubs considering the move of a starter to the bullpen amidst injuries begone.
– Miami Marlins’ closer, Tanner Scott emerges as a possible trade target.
Chicago Cubs On the Hunt for a Closer
Climbing the National League Central ladder, the Chicago Cubs are reportedly keen on strengthening their team by scouting for a closer. Jed Hoyer, the Club’s President of Baseball Operations, made this known, citing the current underperformance of the bullpen as a primary concern.
Reflecting on his career highlights, Hoyer pointed out the assurance and calmness of previously having Jonathan Papelbon and Aroldis Chapman in their ranks. He expressed his intent to replicate that comfort by acquiring a new closing pitcher.
“We are in the market for a top-notch closer,” Hoyer conveyed, emphasizing their eagerness to either trade for one, sign one, or nurture one internally.
Cubs Current Relief Game Woes
Despite an astonishing start for their rotation, the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen presents an alarming situation. It currently ranks sixth-worst for Earned Run Average (ERA) in the majors and fourth for most conceded walks.
With the trade deadline still not in sight, the Cubs are welcoming back Justin Steele and looking forward to the return of Kyle Hendricks and Jordan Wicks. These additions could likely free up Hayden Wesneski or Ben Brown for their much-needed bullpen duty.
The Cub’s bullpen has exterior repair options, but Hoyer recognizes that notable remedies are not readily available at this time of year. Thus, the primary focus remains on player health improvement and helping struggling team members bounce back.
Drawing on Past Closer Acquisitions
In the face of present unfavorable statistics, Hoyer recalled past successful reliever acquisitions. He reminisced on the Cubs’ last World Series window, where he and Theo Epstein acquired Aroldis Chapman and Wade Davis. They also signed Craig Kimbrel, successfully building an All-Star closer ensemble.
Miami Marlins Pitcher In the Spotlight
Sporting a 2.77 ERA in 13.0 innings, Miami Marlins closer Tanner Scott stands out as a desirable target. Although he is not considered a household name, Scott’s career boasts 37 saves and 300-plus Major League innings. He has averaged around 68 appearances across the past three seasons and maintains a 22% walk rate this year. Mooney suggests that Scott, due to his $5.7 million salary balance and approaching free agency status, could be deemed expendable by Miami.
Miami Marlins’ recent movements have hinted at their trade deadline intentions. They recently traded two-time All-Star Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres, seemingly aiming to optimize the value of their accomplished players for a more promising future.
Looking Towards the Future
While the Cubs may consider a potential deal with the Marlins, Hoyer expressed uncertainty as regards the initiation of early transactions following the Arraez trade. “I don’t expect that to kick off a bunch of early deals,” Hoyer said.
As the Cubs seek to strengthen their team, their fans eagerly await the potential arrival of a new closer. Whether this will be through trade, signing, or developing one of their own remains uncertain. However, it is clear that the Chicago Cubs are actively working towards circumventing their bullpen ordeal.