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

Chicago Cubs: Which version of Duensing will we see this season?

Duensing and Kintzler are two pitchers with more expensive contracts I mentioned earlier. Those deals are going to give these two the inside edge for earning a spot in the bullpen.

However, both players are in the last year of their contracts. So if there are clearly better pitchers in the Cubs systems, the team could release one or both of them. The Cubs don’t want to waste $8.5 million. But if it is the best thing for the team, Duensing’s and Kintzler’s contracts are not enough to guarantee them a spot on the roster.

After a great 2017 season Duensing re-signed with the Cubs for two years at $3.5 million annually. At the time, we were ecstatic about the deal. The veteran literally took less money to stay with the Cubs. He didn’t give up an earned run until May 13, which was his 18th appearance of the season.

But Duensing’s numbers for the season as a whole are a disaster (7.65 ERA, 6.35 FIP). The southpaw took multiple trips to the disabled list and never regained the form he had in 2017 or early in 2018.

I think there is a good chance Duensing can once again be a quality arm. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that he was pitching through injuries when he was compiling some of those terrible results last season.