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Chicago Cubs: Exit Tyler Chatwood, enter … James Shields?
Tyler Chatwood is not cutting it for the Chicago Cubs. Could the team receive a boost two years in a row from a Chicago White Sox pitcher?
I don’t want to overreact too hard, I truly don’t. Tyler Chatwood is half season into a three-year contract. Things can obviously change sooner or even later, but the Chicago Cubs must address the situation as soon as possible.
I won’t get into the specifics, though you can read all about Chatwood’s latest start and his struggles here. In short, the main takeaway from Chatwood’s start Saturday is that the Cubs need to make a move.
What kind of move, you ask? Well, acquiring the best starting pitcher available would be nice, of course. However, that is simply unrealistic for the Cubs based on the assets they would have to give up.
Chatwood is not the Cubs’ ace, though. I wrote all about how the team does not need him to pitch like one, but rather need him to pitch like a serviceable fifth starter. He has not, and it is time to find someone who will. That just might be James Shields.
Chicago Cubs: Circling back to ‘Big Game James’?
Before you overreact more than I am, take a second to hear me out. Shields, a White Sox starting pitcher, will be dealt before the trade deadline. His best days might be behind him, but he would be an upgrade for the back of the Cubs’ rotation.
Shields, 36, is 3-9 with a 4.12 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) this season. He has 76 strikeouts and 45 walks in 113 2/3 innings, holding a 1.240 WHIP.
Chatwood is 3-5 with a 5.01 ERA in 16 games (all starts). He has 74 strikeouts and a whopping 70 walks in 79 innings to go along with a 1.780 WHIP.
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Recent results show the obvious
Shields has pitched quite well as of late, allowing three earned runs or less in nine of his last 10 starts. Even more impressive is the fact that he has pitched into the seventh inning or later in seven of those games.
Meanwhile, before Saturday, Chatwood had not pitched into the sixth inning since April 29, when he allowed no runs and two hits in seven innings. The Cubs are 8-8 in games Chatwood starts, but that has been more due to the team picking Chatwood up rather than vice versa.
Shields is making $21 million this season and has a $16 million team option for 2019. However, the White Sox are only paying him $10 million this season. The San Diego Padres, who traded Shields to the White Sox, are paying the remaining $11 million on his contract.
Chicago Cubs: A quality addition at a low cost? Maybe.
Essentially, the Cubs would have to pay Shields very little if they acquire him for the rest of 2018. Furthermore, they would not have to retain him, as his contract includes $2 million buyout for 2019.
Between his 2018 contract and potentially buying him out, the Cubs would not pay much if they acquire Shields. The White Sox would likely not demand much back in a trade, too.
If the Cubs could acquire Shields for just a low-level prospect, they have to consider it. Even if it is not Shields, the team has to look into adding starting pitching depth.
The Cubs cannot send Chatwood to the minor leagues due to his contract. Sending him to the bullpen could backfire if his issues persist. It also would be foolish to give up on him this early into his contract.
At the same time, something has to change. If Chatwood doesn’t improve, the team needs to find someone to pitch better in his place while he works through his issues on the mound.
Next: What is it about the Reds that the Cubs can't solve?
Acquiring José Quintana from the White Sox helped the Cubs immensely in 2017. Acquiring another pitcher from the South Side could again provide the Cubs with a boost in the second half and beyond in 2018.