Chicago Cubs: Brandon Kinztler has finally arrived

Brandon Kintzler seemed to be the wrong acquisition at the 2018 deadline, but we’ve seen the former All-Star hit his stride so far in 2019 for the Chicago Cubs.

After the stressful start to the season, the Chicago Cubs have really kicked it into gear, and have now established themselves as a contender for the NL Central. The bullpen was a significant component to the slow start, but now they’ve been a catalyst to this early season turnaround. One name that has given this bullpen life is Brandon Kintzler.

Brandon Kintzler was an acquisition at the 2018 trade deadline and wasn’t the splash Cubs fans were hoping the team would make at the time. After what many thought was a disappointing move, Kintzler didn’t help his cause. The 34-year-old went 18 innings with an ERA of 7.00 during his post-trade deadline stint.

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Bad was an understatement, and it felt as if the Cubs had to make up for this acquisition for the 2019 season. Kintzler’s name wasn’t one that typically came to mind when the Cubs arsenal in the pen came to mind heading into 2019. But, sometimes a new season can bring new life, and it has done so for the former 2017 All-Star.

Kintzler has gone 15 2/3 innings far this year, sporting a 2.30 ERA. With almost as innings thrown in 2018, he is showing a massive turnaround. This is the reliever the Cubs had thought they were getting last year, and he’s proving to be a huge asset.

With Brandon Morrow, along with new acquisitions Xavier Cedeno and Tony Barnette, on the shelf with injuries, the Cubs have needed current options to step up, and Kintzler has been the guy.

One of the reasoning’s for Kinztler’s early struggles with the Cubs could very well be from the amount he has bounced around the last few seasons. After an all-star campaign with the Twins in 2017, Kinztler was dealt to the Nationals at the trade deadline and then again when the Cubs acquired him at the 2018 deadline.

Kintzler had spent his first seven MLB seasons with two teams and the last three with three different clubs. Players want to feel wanted wherever they go, and bouncing around a lot gives one a sense of uneasiness, especially when they’re getting up there in age. Pressure adds up, and it can be challenging to adjust in a new environment.

He’s has been through a lot, going from Minnesota to Washington to Chicago, but I believe he has finally put his mind to rest and become comfortable in his new home with the Cubs. Knowing he will get to spend an entire season with the club (barring any trade deadline moves again), has to be great for his mind, and he can put more focus into his work.

Having a Brandon Kintzler that’s locked in is huge for this Cubs team. He not only adds to the depth of this bullpen but also reliability with veteran leadership. It’s going to be very exciting to see the further impact Kintzler will have on this team. With the great start he is off to, there is no reason why he’s not able to be an arm we can count on late this season.

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