Chicago Cubs: Bullpen can still improve following Craig Kimbrel signing

Chicago Cubs: Lefties have not seen a lot of success

The Cubs have mostly called on Kyle Ryan in these lefty-lefty match-ups as he’s become their workhorse. In a total of seven innings against lefties, Ryan has a 6.43 ERA while giving up 11 hits and four walks. He started the season on a roll, but his luck has started to run out of late.

The usually reliable Mike Montgomery has had his own issues against lefties this season in limited action. In his 3 2/3 innings pitched, Montgomery has allowed a 12.27 ERA. He hasn’t been fooling anyone at the plate as he’s given up 11 hits and struck out just one batter.

Ryan and Montgomery have really been the Cubs only lefties out of the bullpen this season. They signed Xavier Cedeno in the offseason but he has been hurt much of the season which forced them to use Tim Collins for a spell. Randy Rosario was a big piece in the Cubs bullpen last season but after struggling early on he has spent much of the year in the minor leagues.

The Cubs simply can’t go into October with this group of left-handers in their bullpen. I don’t feel comfortable watching any of these guys potentially have to pitch to the likes of Matt Carpenter, Christian Yelich or Cody Bellinger as the Cubs are trying to win the World Series. They need to go out and make a deal for a dominant left-handed reliever and they certainly have the ability to get it done.

By going out and signing Kimbrel, the Cubs are still in a really good position to make a deal for a left-handed reliever. The reason being is that because Kimbrel was a free agent, all they had to do was pay him money, he didn’t cost the Cubs any assets. Chicago still has their full farm system at their disposal to try to make a deal with another team.