Chicago Cubs: Is it too early to worry about the 2020 bullpen?

Chicago Cubs:  Betances one of the few high-quality options next winter

During the last two offseasons, the free agent market has been ripe with a deep group of relief options.

Last year, the Cubs added Morrow and Cishek among a large group of desirable relief pitchers that included Wade Davis, Greg Holland, Addison Reed, Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee – among others.

This offseason the front office was able to sit back and wait as the free agent market continued to sink lower and lower. This allowed Chicago to add Brad Brach at a bargain salary after Andrew Miller, Zach Britton, Adam Ottavino, Kelvin Herrara, Joe Kelly and David Robertson signed for a lot more.

Next year’s free agent market isn’t anywhere near as deep as the last two. Outside of Dellin Betances, I don’t see a lot of high-quality relief pitchers available. The lower supply could lead to higher salaries for the few quality relief arms which reach free agency. Betances might be able to get several competitive teams bidding against each other for his services.

A lot could change between now and the end of this season. Pitchers who are about to be free agents could have great seasons and become much more desirable. Kensley Jansen could opt out of his contract. The Nationals could decline Sean Doolittle‘s option. Betances could sign an extension or even suffer an injury – we just never know.

Despite those factors, the Cubs’ front office should be prepared for next year’s free agent class to be a smaller part of the answer to building a bullpen than it has been the last two years. Instead, the team should look to re-sign some of their own pitchers, possibly trade for the relievers they need or hopefully finally develop some pitchers from their minor league system.