Chicago Cubs: Bryan Shaw could be another name to keep an eye on

With the Chicago Cubs reloading the bullpen, will a 2016 World Series adversary become a Hot Stove target for the reigning NL Central champions?

Down the stretch, Joe Maddon‘s Chicago Cubs badly lacked one thing: bullpen consistency. Of course, that wasn’t team’s only issue, but it loomed large as self-inflicted damage proved costly come the postseason.

Chicago will focus on shoring up the relief corps this winter via both free agency and trade. If you’ve heard of a big-time reliever or even a notable one, the Cubs have probably been linked to him at some point. One name you likely haven’t heard, though, is Bryan Shaw.

The 30-year-old right-hander just wrapped up his fifth season with the Cleveland Indians. Cubs fans, of course, will remember him from the 2016 World Series. Shaw appeared in four of the seven games, striking out 13.5 men per nine. Still, Chicago tagged him for two earned in 4 2/3 innings – thanks to just under a walk per inning.

Mike Puma of the New York Post recently linked Shaw to the Mets. That makes a lot of sense, as well. But for argument’s sake, let’s try and pair up the righty with the Cubs.

A tight fit on the North Side

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

Maddon and new pitching coach Jim Hickey have plenty of right-handed options in the pen heading into 2018. Hector Rondon and Pedro Strop headline that group. Sophomore string-bean slinger Carl Edwards could very well be the closer of the future. Justin Grimm is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career and his future seems to be on shaky ground. Is there room for another right-hander in the mix?

If the Cubs move on from Grimm, the team could drop Shaw into a seventh or eighth-inning role. He’s appeared in a minimum of 70 games in every season since 2013, pitching to a 3.11 ERA in 358 2/3 innings. You could think he’s benefited from a strong defensive club, but he clocks in at a 3.45 FIP, as well.

Southpaws would be better

The Cubs currently boast just three left-handers in the bullpen, one of whom will be a spot-starter in Mike Montgomery. The second is Rob Zastryzny, who jumped back-and-forth between Triple-A Iowa and the big-league club in 2017. That’s not to take anything away from either man, but neither are what you’d consider a ‘stopper.’

The third and final lefty with a shot to leave his mark in 2018? Justin Wilson. The Cubs acquired Wilson, along with Alex Avila, at the deadline last year in hopes of adding a shutdown left-handed asset in October. In reality, things went sideways in a hurry and everything unraveled for Wilson down the stretch.

Shaw adds something – consistency

Bryan Shaw is – above all – consistent. The veteran right-hander knows what it means to be a part of a shutdown group of guys. He teamed up with Andrew Miller to get the ball to Cody Allen regularly the last couple of seasons.

Next: Fallout from Braves' infractions loom across all of baseball

If the Cubs shell out the cash for a right-handed reliever, it needs to be someone like this. A proven performer. Maybe not the most eye-catching name on the free agent market, but one that makes his presence felt on a day-in, day-out basis.