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

Chicago Cubs: A multiple-inning lefty? Yes, please.

The Chicago Cubs know what a shutdown left-handed reliever can mean to a team. Aroldis Chapman put the team on his back in the 2016 postseason. The team they played against, the Cleveland Indians, boast the best multiple-inning left-hander in the game in Andrew Miller.

Now, Mike Minor is not in the same league as those two. But the concept and idea remains the same. A left-handed reliever capable of throwing more than one frame is a valuable commodity.

Minor, heading into his age-30 season, is an interesting target. He missed several seasons due to injury before making his way back as a reliever with Kansas City last year. (Imagine that – a lights-out reliever with the Royals). The southpaw appeared in 65 games, pitching to a 2.55 ERA and 2.62 FIP.

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What makes him even more appealing to me personally? His 4.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio, including 10.2 strikeouts per nine. A 176 ERA+ demonstrates just how effective Minor was in his first season of big-league relief. And that effectiveness is going to get him a big payday this winter.

The Cubs need a left-handed weapon out of the bullpen. Mike Minor may be just the guy to fill that void.