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Chicago Cubs rumors: 4 pitchers who could replace Jose Quintana in the rotation

By Sean Sears

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 21: Jose Quintana #62 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after pitching the third inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 21, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 21: Jose Quintana #62 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after pitching the third inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 21, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 14: Jharel Cotton #45 of the Oakland Athletics pitches during the game against the Kansas City Royals at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 14, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Royals defeated the Athletics 6-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 14: Jharel Cotton #45 of the Oakland Athletics pitches during the game against the Kansas City Royals at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 14, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Royals defeated the Athletics 6-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

RHP. Chicago Cubs. Jharel Cotton. 3. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 9

The 28-year-old right-hander hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2017 after undergoing Tommy-John surgery in 2018. After a small sample size in 2016 lead to impressive numbers for Cotton, 2.15 ERA in five starts, his 2017 season wasn’t great posting a 5.58 ERA in 129.1 innings while walking close to four batters per nine innings.

He did make 18 starts in the Athletics minor league system last season but continued to struggle with a 7.48 ERA allowing eight home runs in just 27.1 IP. The Cubs had already optioned Cotton to Triple-A before Spring Training was suspended, but Cotton’s ability to start games and work out of the bullpen gives the Cubs some flexibility.

Before Tommy John, Cotton was an enticing prospect with an array of pitches at his disposal but it’s his change-up against left-handed hitters that could make him an important piece to the bullpen should he find himself on the outside looking in on the Cubs rotation. Cotton will contribute in some way, but Chicago is hoping he can find some of the magic he had in his debut season in Oakland.

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