Chicago Cubs: Does Hector Rondon have a future with the team?

Do the Chicago Cubs trust Hector Rondon to keep him around next year?

The Chicago Cubs have a number of issues to address this offseason, one of which includes the bullpen. Cubs relievers walked 129 batters in the second half last season, which was the second-most in baseball. It is hard to point fingers at one guy because most relievers outside Wade Davis had rough patches last year.

A popular topic of conversation is Hector Rondon. The 29-year old reliever has gone from an underrated top-closer to a struggling mop-up guy in a matter of a season. His struggles last year may make people wonder if his effectiveness has been milked dry and if the Cubs should move on from him.

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Will the Cubs non-tender him?

Rondon inked a one-year, $5,800,000 deal last year and is now eligible for arbitration. According to Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales, the Cubs have until tomorrow evening to offer Rondon a new deal. But will they? After last year’s struggles it seems possible they may pass on him.

From 2014 through mid-2016 he had a great stretch before losing his job to Aroldis Chapman and getting hurt in August. From 2014-2015, Rondon recorded 59 saves with a 2.03 ERA, 1.028 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts in 133 1/3 innings. He succeeded in locating a high-90s fastball along with getting good movement on his slider. Rondon was also the one that sent the Chicago Cubs to the 2015 NLCS when he closed out game 4 of the NLDS.

Rondon losses closer role and effectiveness

Last year Rondon was very inconsistent. He was not getting the desired movement on the slider and fastball command was not nearly as good. In 57 1/3 innings, he pitched to a 4.24 ERA, 1.221 WHIP and walked 20 batters while surrendering 10 home runs. He also had three save opportunities which he failed to convert. While he had a few good consecutive games when he looked like his old self, it never lasted and always seemed to revert back to struggling.

Rondon is still not old, and likely has the physical ability to play for more years to come. However, it is a tricky situation considering how limited his repertoire is and his recent performance. It can be difficult for relievers that only have two pitches to bounce back if one of the pitches is just not working.

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Was the injury in 2016 a factor? Seems like it, but it is hard to know what he is feeling when he pitches. The Cubs are built to contend, and they need guys they can trust. If they do not feel they know 100% that Rondon’s slider will be reliable consistently again, then that causes concern.

If the Chicago Cubs goal is to find fresh bullpen arms that are not as expensive, then it would not be surprising if they cut ties with Hector Rondon.