Chicago Cubs: Brian Duensing reportedly signs with Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly signed reliever Brian Duensing to a two-year deal. This will bring back one of the more reliable pitchers in Joe Maddon’s bullpen.

The Chicago Cubs and Brian Duensing have reportedly come to terms with a two-year deal worth an estimated $7 million, per Jon Heyman. Barring any late signing by the Cubs, the bullpen is likely set as they prepare for the season. The Cubs could still add a starter, but that seems to be a guess for anyone with any semblance of a theory.

For Duensing, the chance to come back and pitch for the Cubs was too good to pass up. Reportedly, he had other deals “for significantly more money elsewhere,” but wanted to return to Chicago. While we have discussed that the bullpen was strong enough as it was, this will make it that much better. It may also mean that someone will get bumped.

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Duensing pitched to a 2.74 ERA, the second-lowest in his career. Once a starter, Duesning still keeps that starter’s repertoire out of the bullpen. While he’s coming up on his 35 birthday, the Cubs feel he can contribute for the next few seasons.

Where Duesning fits in is somewhat unclear. He’s without a doubt, not a lefty one-out guy, and this will add a third left-hander (including Mike Montgomery). If Eddie Butler was factored into the rotation, he could be the one that gets bumped. And, in turn, will need to be DFA’d.

The Cubs bullpen has a little more clarity now, but the lack of a closer is somewhat concerning. But the Cubs seem to find a way to manage, including the discovery of closers in the past (Carlos Marmol, Hector Rondon). So this may be a case of needing to find one instead of signing one.

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With the addition of Duesning, the bullpen is starting to show its hand. And to be honest, it doesn’t look that bad. Outside of Justin Wilson, who the Cubs feel will bounce back this season, many of the arms out in the pen have had success. No reliever is impervious to a bad stretch. And that included Duensing who had a rough go of it in his start with the Cubs.