Chicago Cubs have no choice but to add to their bullpen

Chicago Cubs: Where reinforcements could come from

The Cubs pitching staff may finally get some reinforcements from their minor league system. Duane Underwood Jr., Alec Mills, Jen-Ho Tseng and Dillon Maples all pitched for the Cubs last season. Adbert Alzolay is the Cubs top pitching prospect.

Allen Webster is former prospect and high draft pick the Cubs are trying to resurrect. There could even be a surprise breakout pitcher who comes out of no where in the next couple of seasons.

As we’ve seen in recent years, Theo Epstein might make his moves mid-season. But to trade for something you have to have something to trade away that other teams want. MLB Pipeline just ranked the Cubs as having the worst minor system in the NL Central based on each team’s top 5 prospects.

Jed Hoyer said that they were going to be talking to other GMs about trades earlier this offseason. The only trade the Cubs have made so far this winter was to trade away Tommy La Stella.

There are some things about this offseason that won’t be available next time around. Even though there are talented hitters becoming available in upcoming offseasons, there isn’t anyone like Harper and Manny Machado next year.

But don’t over look that next offseason won’t have anywhere near the relief pitching options that this year had. And now that Britton signed with the Yankees that relief market is getting smaller.