Fansided

3 Cubs stealing money from the team thanks to bad contracts

By Zachary Rotman

Sep 4, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (28) leaves a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (28) leaves a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Drew Smyly (11) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Drew Smyly (11) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Drew Smyly is not the pitcher the Cubs think he is

Drew Smyly had a nice debut season for the Cubs, going 7-8 with a 3.47 ERA in 22 starts and 106.1 innings pitched. The ERA was very solid but shouldn’t be relied upon. Following the season, Smyly re-signed with the Cubs on a two-year $19 million dollar deal. The contract includes a third-year mutual option worth $10 million.

Smyly did have a 3.47 ERA but had a 4.23 FIP and a 4.17 xERA suggesting he got awfully lucky. Smyly does not strike out many as he fanned just 7.7 batters per nine, and he allowed 1.4 HR/9. At 33 years old, it’s hard to see a repeat of 2022 in store.

The southpaw hadn’t really had a consistent rotation spot for years before this past season in Chicago. He made 23 starts for Atlanta in 2021 but didn’t last the entire season in the rotation. He made 21 starts in 2019 pitching for the Cardinals and Phillies but had a 6.24 ERA. The last (and only) time he’s made 30+ starts came all the way back in 2016 as a member of the Rays.

Whether it’s injuries or poor performance, Smyly hasn’t proven that he’s able to make a full season’s worth of starts. The Cubs would be expecting him to do that not only for one year, they guaranteed him two despite the advanced metrics suggesting he was lucky and the fact that he’s 33 years old. This isn’t the worst deal ever but isn’t one that makes much sense for Chicago.

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