Chicago Cubs add another southpaw to their bullpen in Duensing

The Chicago Cubs may end up missing a few southpaws from their bullpen following their World Series win. Thankfully, free agent opens up an opportunity to fill specific needs. Today, Theo and Jed found a solution.

It may not be a huge improvement to the bullpen but the Chicago Cubs need arms. As many arms as they can get in order to help defend their crown. With Aroldis Chapman eyeing the New York Yankees and Travis Wood likely leaving as well, something needed to be done.

Yet while they still have a hole in their starting rotation, Chicago’s bullpen has always remained a question mark. However, a few men, including Mike Montgomery and Carl Edwards Jr. stood tall, becoming workhorses.

A bit of a trust issue between Joe Maddon and the rest of the names in his pen. But we’re going to save that topic for another day. Now, he’ll have another option to work with.

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According to the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs have agreed to terms with veteran southpaw, Brian Duensing. Duensing, 33, will turn 34-years-old in a little over two months from now in February.

He made his big league debut in early April of 2009 with the Minnesota Twins. In fact, he replaced former Cub, Scott Baker, in the rotation who was injured at the time. Who did he face in his first professional outing?

The Chicago White Sox.

Injuries Happen

As a college athlete at the University of Nebraska, Duensing had a few elbow injuries which later resulted in him needing Tommy John surgery. On a side note, he was teammates with Joba Chamberlain and Alex Gordon.

A pair of future World Series champions, so it’s safe to say they had a solid unit in college. At one point in their careers, all three men (Gordon right now) have worn Kansas City Royals uniforms.

Following the 2015 campaign, Duensing signed a contract with the Royals where he was released and signed a second time. Only this time it was Brian who opted out of the deal in mid-May. Soon after he opted to leave the reigning World Champs, Duensing made his way to the Baltimore Orioles.

Next: Who will leadoff for the Cubs in 2017?

In 14 appearances with the Orioles, Duensing posted an ERA of 4.05 while recording 10 strikeouts and issuing only three walks. He yielded six earned runs on 13 hits, picking up a victory along the way in 13 1/3 innings of work.

During his career, he has picked up 61 starts, giving Joe the option to put him in as a spot starter if necessary. Same thing goes for Montgomery. Who knows, maybe those two will audition for the final spot if the Cubs decide to not sign or trade for another starter.

Either way, welcome to the family, Duensing.