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Chicago Cubs: These free agent targets make most sense for team this winter

By Jake Misener

ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 28: Lance Lynn #31 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Busch Stadium on September 28, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 28: Lance Lynn #31 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Busch Stadium on September 28, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 12: Steve Cishek #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on September 12, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The two teams were scheduled to play in St. Petersburg, Florida but due to the weather emergency caused by Hurricane Irma, the game was moved to New York, but with Tampa Bay remaining the ‘home’ team. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 12: Steve Cishek #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on September 12, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The two teams were scheduled to play in St. Petersburg, Florida but due to the weather emergency caused by Hurricane Irma, the game was moved to New York, but with Tampa Bay remaining the ‘home’ team. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Could another former Rays pitcher come to Wrigley?

In both the regular season and come playoff time, the Chicago bullpen took a big step backward in 2017. Outside of Wade Davis and maybe Brian Duensing, the team regularly failed to find consistency from their relievers.

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That’s not to say there’s not talent in the group coming back. I’m a firm believer in guys like Carl Edwards Jr. and Pedro Strop. Outside of that, Justin Grimm and Hector Rondon aren’t exactly on the top of my wish-list when it comes to guys I want to give the ball to in high-pressure situations.  With that thinking, the Cubs will undoubtedly add bullpen help this winter.

For me, Steve Cishek makes a lot of sense. MLBTR projects the right-hander getting a two-year deal in the $14 million range. I wouldn’t have any problem with Chicago giving a deal like that to a 31-year-old coming off a 2.01 ERA and 0.896 WHIP campaign.

Late-inning experience

The former Marlins closer racked up 117 saves from 2012 to 2016 and could very well be a lower-tier closer option for the Cubs if they choose to not bring back Wade Davis. In 2013, Cishek finished a league-leading 62 games for Miami. So, regardless of role, he’s got the high-leverage experience Chicago badly needs heading into 2018

In such situations, according to Baseball Reference, the right-hander has limited opponents to a batting average in the .220s over his career. His strikeout-to-walk ratio makes me a bit nervous, but you have to trust Jim Hickey to address that with the entire staff after the Cubs’ performance in that regard this season.

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