Chicago Cubs: How Tyler Chatwood can be useful in 2019

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Will Chatwood be a Cub in 2020?

Tyler Chatwood, one way or the other, might find himself playing somewhere other than Chicago at some point in 2019 or 2020.  This is not to say that Chatwood won’t bounce back, but if he’s bad and continues to struggle, the Cubs could ultimately designate him for assignment.  If he’s good, he could be considered expendable as he’s not really a reliever, and the Cubs don’t currently have room for him as a starter if everyone is healthy.

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While it might be risky to move Chatwood if he shows flashes of brilliance, the Cubs could look to sell high if another team is desperate for a starting pitcher after an unfortunate spring injury.   A trade could give Chatwood a fresh start, and it would absolve the Cubs from paying the rest of his salary.  It also might return a prospect or another piece that might fit this 2019 team more snugly.

The other option, while not positive for anyone, is designating Chatwood for assignment and eating the rest of his contract.  If the Cubs feel he cannot be fixed or won’t turn things around in Chicago, they might let him go as a way to free up a roster spot for a usable player.

While it would be a bitter pill to swallow paying for a player to go away, it’s better than paying for a guy in the pen who never pitches and handcuffs your pitching usage.  And, the Red Sox won the World Series last year paying Hanley Ramirez to sip tropical drinks.  Just sayin’.

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Whatever happens with Chatwood this season, the Cubs are hoping for a return to form for the right-hander, as he could help the team on the mound, or even in a trade for something else they need.  Let’s just hope we don’t see a repeat of 2018, because that would be a disaster for everyone involved.