MLB Rumors: Chicago Cubs closing in on deal for relief pitcher Wade Davis?

As stacked as the reigning World Champion Chicago Cubs appear to be, they might be adding to the fold with Wade Davis of the Royals

The Chicago Cubs are getting creative in their attempt to find a replacement at closer, and are reportedly close to agreeing to a deal that would send right-hander Wade Davis from Kansas City to Chicago.

Update: According to Ken Rosenthal, the deal is close and will include Jorge Soler.

Davis lost his status as an elite closer in 2016 due to forearm problems. The injury led to a drop in velocity and strikeout rate, but despite the issues, Davis still saved 27 games with a 1.87 ERA in 45 appearances. Over the last three seasons, he has 47 saves and has blown just seven. He also owns a 1.87 ERA, 234 strikeouts and 59 walks in 182.2 innings.

Since joining the bullpen at the start of the 2014 season, Davis has yielded just three home runs. At just 31 years old, there’s a good chance Davis’ drop in strikeouts was due to the injury, and with a healthy 2017, he could return to his 2015 form where he struck out 78 batters and allowed a 0.94 ERA in 67.1 innings.

Davis also has postseason experience, having pitched in the World Series for the Royals in 2014 and 2015. In 25 postseason frames with the Royals, he struck out 38, walked five and allowed just one run.

There’s no word yet who would be going back to Kansas City in the deal for Davis, but it’s likely to be a package of prospects. Davis has a $10 million club option with a $2.5 million buyout for 2017 and will be a free agent next winter.

For the Cubs, he could be the perfect “bridge” closer until some of the team’s other young relief pitchers – Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop or Carl Edwards Jr. – develop into a closer.

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As close as this deal sounds, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports the deal could hit a snag and is far from a certain thing.