Chicago Cubs: How Josh Collmenter might fit into the plan

One move the Chicago Cubs made under the radar was signing former Arizona Diamondback pitcher Josh Collmenter to a minor league deal. How might he fit into the plans as the season winds down?

It made very little news when it happened. The Chicago Cubs signed Josh Collmenter to a minor league deal, and outside of Cubs fans, nobody seemed to notice. There was more talk about Jonathan Papelbon before he was even officially released than there was about Collmenter. So after his release from the D-backs, does he have anything to offer?

Collmenter had a solid career as a starter in Arizona, not great, but quite serviceable. His 36-33 record can be misleading considering as a team the D-backs weren’t that great most years. He did post a career 3.54 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP. He started 75 games for Arizona (26-23, 4.03 ERA), but was most effective out of the pen posting a 2.58 ERA.

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Starter or bullpen?

He’s expected to be stretched out for a chance at a few spot start. And with the way the entire Cubs staff is throwing the ball, extra rest would be welcomed. But in the case that he’s not needed to start, sliding him into the bullpen in September would help to eat up some of the middle innings where Travis Wood has seen a lot of action, allowing him to get some rest as well.

The idea of considering Papelbon, using Collmenter or any other pitcher isn’t a dig at the current staff. It’s simply a way to protect the arms and the innings put on them as they enter the stretch run with an eye on breaking the curse. If you didn’t know, Brian Matusz made it through waivers (stunner) and is back at Triple-A. So there is always the chance he could make another spot start. Yeah, I don’t like the sound of that either.

Next: Young guns awaiting their turn

We’ve got approximately five weeks without Pedro Strop. Hector Rondon hopes he’ll be able to pitch today, and Trevor Cahill is nearing the end of his rehab. In two weeks the rosters will expand to 40. So if the Cubs can make do with what they have just a bit longer, reinforcements will be incoming.