Cubs: 3 free agents Chicago should avoid

While he was unhittable as the lone bastion of competence in an awful Red Sox bullpen, Workman was acquired by the Phillies in the hopes that he could pull the same high-wire act for a Philadelphia bullpen that essentially sabotaged their season. After going 10-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 16 saves for Boston, he put up a 5.95 ERA in his only season with Philadelphia. He still has one of the best pitches of any relief pitcher in his filthy spike curveball, his problems with control manifested once again, as he walked nine players in 13 innings while giving up four home runs.

The Cubs need bullpen help in the worst way possible, but they need reliable bullpen help that has a proven track record of success. Even with his 2019 season, Workman only has one season in his career with an ERA below 3.00, and his control problems show just how high-variance he can be when hitters aren’t chasing his curveball. The Cubs could bring him as a middle reliever, but if they pay him big money to handle the eighth or ninth inning, that will be a huge mark against Hoyer and this front office.