Last week, the Milwaukee Brewers released 36-year old left-hander Randy Wolf, after he posted a 3-10 record with a 5.69 ERA in 24 starts. With the Cubs rotating minor league pitchers in to make spot starts on a regular basis, and Matt Garza shut down for the season, Wolf could be a draw for the team moving forward. Granted, he’s earned almost ten million dollars this year, and he won’t get that kind of money from the Cubs, but he may still prove to be worth the time.
Wolf has a 3-5 career record and a 4.02 ERA at Wrigley Field in 11 starts throughout his career, and has experience in the National League, especially the N.L. Central. Last season for the Brewers, the southpaw posted a 13-10 mark and an earned run average of 3.69 – his lowest since 2009 with the Dodgers. Wolf has stated that he still wants to play, and is not yet ready to retire, and here is why the Cubs could prove to be a perfect fit.
At 36, it is unlikely that Randy Wolf has too many seasons left in the tank. Chicago offers an opportunity to be a mentor to one of the youngest pitching staffs in the league, and be part of a key rebuilding process that is already in full-swing. Travis Wood and Brooks Raley are the only two left-handers in the Cubs rotation, and Raley has only been used as a spot-starter between Chicago and Triple-A Iowa. Wood has been a disappointment in his first season with the Cubs, going 4-10 with an earned run average just under 5.00, and he is currently acting as the #2 man in the rotation, behind Jeff Samardzija.
Other destinations that have been mentioned in rumors since his release include an “AL East contender,” via MLB Network’s Peter Gammons (Twitter). However, that team was likely the Orioles, who are now rumored to be a front runner to land Joe Saunders of Arizona. With few other clubs in the mix, Chicago could come out on top, and pick up a durable left-hander that could help mentor the young staff next season.