Chicago Cubs: 5 relievers to round out bullpen

The Chicago Cubs addressed a major team need by trading for closer Wade Davis, but their bullpen still needs some work. How can Theo Epstein round it out?

Coming off their first World Series title this side of 1908, the Chicago Cubs had very few weaknesses to address this offseason. The only obvious need was a replacement for closer Aroldis Chapman. With the flamethrower set to demolish the previous record for most expensive reliever contract, the Cubs were always viewing Chapman as a rental. By trading Jorge Soler for Kansas City Royals All-Star closer Wade Davis, Theo Epstein was able to check that big need off.

Chicago’s bullpen performed very well as a whole last season, finishing eighth in baseball with a 3.56 ERA. In the playoffs, however, it became very apparent manager Joe Maddon had lost faith in most members of his bullpen. Attempting to ride Chapman to the finish nearly cost the Cubs the title.

Entering the 2017 season, the Cubs have six relievers on their 25-man roster — Davis, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Carl Edwards, Justin Grimm and Mike Montgomery. For the time being, Montgomery is being viewed as the potential No. 5 starter. Rob Zastryzny, a rookie last season and a left-hander, should make the roster out of Spring Training. That leaves the Cubs with a need for one or two more relievers depending on how Montgomery ends up being used.

Luckily for the Cubs, there are a handful of potentially dominant middle relievers left on the open market. Here are the five that make the most sense as the Cubs look to keep their bullpen in optimal working order.

5. Travis Wood, LHP

Wood has spent the last five years of his career pitching for the Cubs, and enters free agency this winter for the first time in his career. Before coming to Chicago, Wood flamed out as a starter with the Cincinnati Reds. He started during his first four years with the Cubs, before finding the most success as a full-time reliever last year.

Wood appeared in 77 games for the Cubs last year, and recorded a 2.95 ERA over 61.0 innings. He grew nicely into his role as a left-handed specialist, limiting lefty batters to a .128/.208/.239 line. Right-handed batters experienced success against him, slugging .521 with six home runs.

If the Cubs are seeking continuity in their bullpen, bringing Wood back is a good idea. He’s dependable and durable, and very good at retiring left-handed hitters. Maddon could look to maximize Wood by using him exclusively as a one-out specialist against lefties. Wood has, however, expressed some interest in returning to a starting role. If that’s truly what he wants, he should be able to find a team willing to allow him to return to the rotation given the lack of starting pitchers on the market this winter. Wood was an All-Star as a starter in 2013.

The Cubs don’t necessarily have to keep a dedicated left-handed specialist in their bullpen. Their position as the dominant team in the National League affords them the ability to sign the best pitchers available regardless of handedness. They do need at least one southpaw, and Zastryzny may take over for Wood next year.