Cubs post-lockout plan includes adding this ‘power pitcher’ behind Marcus Stroman

Since the Chicago Cubs signed Marcus Stroman before the lockout, they’ll now be targeting a power pitcher to fall behind him, according to a Cubs reporter. 

When the Chicago Cubs signed Marcus Stroman in the final hour, it was an impressive feat of negotiating to see a three-year, $71 million deal materialize in a matter of hours.

But in order to truly be an NL Central contender in 2022, the Cubs will need to follow up the Stroman signing with a powerful move: for a power pitcher, to be specific.

While the lockout has frozen free agency negotiations, clubs can still make their intentions known through media reports. And according to The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, there are a few players to keep in mind when considering which remaining available power pitcher would be the best fit.

“They’d love to add someone with an upper-90s heater and a devastating curveball, but to do so they’d have to explore the trade market, which is certainly something they’ll do,” Sharma said. “Adding more strikeouts to the bullpen will also be a priority after the lockout, and they’ll look for high-risk, high-reward types on short deals who could fit that mold. James Paxton and Corey Kluber are already taken, but Danny Duffy is someone they would pursue once the lockout ends.”

Danny Duffy could follow up Marcus Stroman in Cubs power pitcher role

Duffy to the Cubs seems an intentional drop by Sharma, who has mentioned the possibility of Duffy coming to Chicago after ten years with the Kansas City Royals.

Duffy will begin the 2022 season as a 33-year-old lefty coming off an injury-shortened season. Considering his age and recent sidelining, he’ll be looking for a bounceback opportunity that could launch into the last big contract of his career. In order to sell his worth, he could do something short-term with Chicago, complimenting Stroman and giving the Cubs the bullpen they need.

The Cubs have been in need of a strong corps of pitchers, and with Stroman and Duffy, or whichever power pitcher they choose, the Cubs have an opportunity to build a strong roster in the offseason.