Chicago Cubs: Breaking down needs heading into the winter

Adding depth in the late innings

For the final time, in 2016 the Wrigley Field bullpens will be located down the left and right-field lines, respectively.

Just who will sit in them for the Chicago Cubs remains to be seen.

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Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop and Justin Grimm are sure-locks to be included in the mix. Clayton Richard and Travis Wood will offer left-handed assets to Maddon, although it’s not unreasonable to think one of them may land a fifth starter spot out of camp.

Both Trevor Cahill and Tommy Hunter are free agents this offseason, as is Fernando Rodney. Needless to say, there will be some holes to fill come Winter Meetings.

After rebounding in the second-half, Rondon is the Cubs’ closer. That much is clear. Statistically, he was one of the better ninth-inning men in all of baseball this season, setting a new career-high in saves in the process.

Don’t be surprised to see the team kick the tires on someone like Tyler Clippard – who could rebound nicely under the tutelage of Chris Bosio. That being said, we’ve seen what this front office can do with reclamation projects, so there are sure to be a myriad of interesting names in the mix.

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