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Chicago Cubs: Dillon Maples could be undervalued bullpen weapon

By Jake Misener

CHICAGO - JULY 17: The stadium lights are on during the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field July 17, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
CHICAGO - JULY 17: The stadium lights are on during the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field July 17, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JULY 3: Pitching coach Jim Hickey #48 of the Tampa Bay Rays talks with starting pitcher Erik Bedard #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Comerica Park on July 3, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. Bedard gave up six runs and eight hits in two innings, he did not return for the third inning. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JULY 3: Pitching coach Jim Hickey #48 of the Tampa Bay Rays talks with starting pitcher Erik Bedard #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Comerica Park on July 3, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. Bedard gave up six runs and eight hits in two innings, he did not return for the third inning. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Let the past be the past – eyes on the prize

As I mentioned, the Cubs have well over a dozen arms competing for Major League roster spots. That’s just not going to pan out. There’s bound to be 2-3 left disappointed when Spring Training ends and the regular season begins.

Evan Altman over at Cubs Insider has been all over Maples this winter – and with good reason.  But you can see what he talks about when you watch recent interviews with the Cubs’ hard-throwing prospect.

"“Last year was pretty crazy, but I’ve moved on,” he told MLB.com. “That’s why I had that two-week period to sit back and let it soak in. Now, it’s, ‘All right, let’s go. Let’s have a good camp and work on what I need to work on. Last year is irrelevant.'”"

That’s the only mindset Maples can head into Sloan Park with next month. Last year doesn’t matter. As perfect of a year as 2016 was for the Chicago Cubs, they learned that very lesson time and time again last season. Granted, a 92-win, first-place season is nothing to scoff at, but the dominance from the year prior was gone.

Next: Looking at nearly 40 years of Cubs trades

If Maples does what he’s capable of – and learns to control his pitches (thus, limiting walks), he could fight his way into the Cubs’ pen. It’s far from a sure thing that he will be the odd man out in 2018. But if he’s not, it means he stepped up in a way we haven’t yet seen from him.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait.

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