The Chicago Cubs bullpen may be unrecognizable in a few weeks

The Chicago Cubs bullpen is going to change in the coming weeks. With Craig Kimbrel almost ready, pitchers coming back from injury, it’ll be a different group from what you know.

As Chicago Cubs fans, we sometimes become attached to certain players. Whether they’ve been here for their entire career or just a few years, fans can latch on to guys and not want to see them go. I don’t know if that’s the case for the bullpen? But prepare yourself, because there will be some changes in the coming weeks. And not just players being shuttled back to Iowa. The Cubs might have to part ways with someone.

Just recently, Tony Barnette was activated from the 60-day IL and Rowan Wick was optioned back to Iowa. This leaves only two pitchers on the Cubs staff with options. Adbert Alzolay, who’s been impressive in his first two appearances, and Kyle Ryan who has been one of the most consistent lefties in the bullpen. Any other decisions that the front office makes may force them to DFA someone.

With Craig Kimbrel to be activated soon and Carl Edwards Jr. not far off,  some hard decisions will have to be made. And if Brandon Morrow ever makes his return? That’s three moves that need to be made to make room. Of those two players that have options, it’s possible that Alzolay would draw the short straw when Kimbrel is ready. Not for performance reasons, because he’s been a breath of fresh air as far as a homegrown pitching prospect.

The reason Ryan would win out over Alzolay is he’s a lefty. And, as of late, a pretty good one in late innings. Mike Montgomery is a jack-of-all-trades, but a situational left, he is not. I know the plan is to go with a six-man rotation with Alzolay and Tyler Chatwood taking the place of Kyle Hendricks. But Chatwood has been good out of the pen, so I’d rather see Montgomery assume the other starter role. I think this puts the ‘right people’ in the best situations, but Joe Maddon has his way. And I do trust in Joe.

So we know that Kimbrel is almost ready to go. Edwards has been throwing; his injury wasn’t to his throwing arm, so he should be available soon. Morrow has had two mound sessions, and considering every time he threw off the mound; he had a setback? Two sessions are fantastic news.

If the Chicago Cubs want to put their best foot forward, it might mean the end for someone as a Cub. Brad Brach is on my radar. He’s been better of late, pitching to the tune of 1.80 ERA in his last five appearances (5 IP, 8K, 1 BB.) But on the year he has a 5.74 ERA and two blown saves, plus multiple games where he allowed 2+ runs in less than an inning of work.

If by, or shortly after the All-Star break we get Kimbrel, Edwards, Hendricks and eventually Morrow back? And each pitches at or close to their potential? We’re in business. But being a business, somebody is going to have to go. I’m fine with being an observer and giving my opinion. I don’t want to be in Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer’s shoes.