Chicago Cubs: Is Jonathan Papelbon worth a look?

Should the Chicago Cubs give the veteran Jonathan Papelbon a look, especially with Pedro Strop out for the next 4 to 6 weeks?

With the news that the Washington Nationals have released Jonathan Papelbon, is it possible that the Chicago Cubs could give him a look? While Papelbon has had the worst year of his career (4.37 ERA, 37 hits allowed, 14 walks and 31 strikeouts in 35 innings), could a change of scenery be all that he needs?

His time in Washington may be best known for his physical altercation with Bryce Harper in the dugout. Choking the poster boy of baseball and Washington isn’t the best way to endear yourself to the D.C. fans. But while he wears his emotions on his sleeve, is this indicative of who he is? 368 career saves in no small achievement. And Jon Lester vouched for him to Theo Epstein before the Nationals traded for him.

"“Pap’s a good dude,” Lester said. “A lot of the stuff that has kind of followed him around is maybe a little misconstrued. He’s obviously a strong personality. He’ll definitely tell you what’s on his mind, which I love. We get our asses powdered enough – I don’t need my teammates to do it."

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I don’t think we can misconstrue that he choked Harper, but to be honest I wouldn’t be surprised if Harper may have had a good part of that exchange as well. But the rumor is he wants to pitch in “high-leverage” situations again. Do the Cubs even have that type of opportunity for him? And more importantly, would they?

Worth a shot with Strop out?

With Strop out after the surgery for a torn meniscus, there’s a bullpen opening. But Trevor Cahill will return soon as he’s being stretched out in Triple-A–likely in anticipation of starting in one of the games in the doubleheader against Milwaukee. On the flip side, the Cubs have a 14 game lead in the division, and now would be a good time for “trial and error” with Papelbon. Washington will pay the rest of his 2016 salary with the release. He’s up there in age, so any chance he would have, he might take.

And if it doesn’t work out? Release him. The Cubs don’t have to stick with him. Strop is out for a month or so, giving us a few weeks in September after rosters expand that they could use him without taking away an opportunity from someone else. Lester though the group in Chicago could make it work for Papelbon back then.

"“I love Pap. I thought he would have been a good fit. Joe and ‘Boz’ (pitching coach Chris Bosio) and all of us would have really helped him fit in here. I think the fan base would have been really good for him."

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I won’t question Chris Bosio’s ability to work with pitchers that others give up on. And I have no concern that if it didn’t work, Epstein will send him packing. If the lead in the division wasn’t so big, I don’t think I would even consider this. But this would be the type of pickup that, if successful, would add another layer of security for the Cubs.