The Chicago Cubs’ bullpen has to show up in 2020

The Chicago Cubs’ did not have a closer

Going into 2019, the Cubs needed a real closer that they did not have on the roster. It was closer by committee to start the year and it did not work. As they blew multiple saves opportunities during the first few months of the season. Then they went out and signed All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel hoping he would be the answer to the problem and we all know how that turned out.

Heading into 2020, the Cubs will need a few guys to bounce back, starting with  Kimbrel. Kimbrel was not good in his unusual 2019 season as he was not signed until the beginning of June and didn’t make his first appearance in an MLB game until the end of June. He posted a 6.53 ERA in 23 appearances, not like him at all.

“Summer Camp” didn’t get off to the way Kimbrel was looking for either has he gave up a home run to Willson Contreras in his first outing. Kimbrel did talk about how he felt good and was working more on throwing his changeup more. The Cubs have to have him bounce back in 2020 to have a chance to get back where they are looking to be.

Jeremy Jeffress was signed by the Cubs this past offseason and is another guy they are looking to have a bounce-back season. Jeffress struggled in 2019 because of a shoulder injury that sidelined him for part of the season. In 2018 though, Jeffress was one of the best relievers in all of baseball, posting a 1.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 15 saves.

Chicago Cubs have options, but which ones?

Rowan Wick, Kyle Ryan, and Brad Wieck will all also be a big part of the Cubs bullpen in 2020. Wick started to make a name for himself in the second half of last season. He was one of the few Cubs relievers that were good in high leverage moments. Wick posted a 2.43 ERA in 31 games pitched. If Wick can continue to progress in 2020, the Cubs will be in a good spot.

The lefty Kyle Ryan didn’t make the Opening Day roster last season but was called up in the first few weeks of the season as the Cubs bullpen struggled. Ryan, who was thought to be a more of a lefty specialist, proved that he could get guys out from both sides of the plate, which will be valuable in 2020 with the new three batters minimum rule. Ryan posted a 3.54 ERA in 73 games pitched.

Weick was brought over from San Diego in the Carl Edwards Jr. trade in late July. The left-hander had an excellent September for the Cubs. Having a 3.60 ERA in 14 games pitched for the Cubs.

That is five of the eight spots in the bullpen pretty much locked up. It gets interesting after that who will get the final three spots. It is pretty much a lock that Alec Mills will be the fifth starter for the Cubs after Jose Quintana’s injury to his pitching hand. Duane Underwood Jr. is another exciting option the Cubs have.

The Cubs and the taxi squad

Underwood did not see much time in Chicago last season, but in his debut, he struck out all six Athletics that he faced. Casey Sadler was brought to Chicago in a small deal with the Dodgers this last offseason. The 29-year-old righty had a 2.14 ERA in 33 outings with the Rays and Dodgers last season.

The Cubs will have some options out of the “taxi squad” as well. These are the guys that are not in Chicago right now training with the team; they are in South Bend training. Jason Adam, Adbert Alzolay, Dakota Mekkes, Juan Gamez, Michael Rucker, and one of the top prospects, Brailyn Marquez, are all options from the “taxi squad.”

Overall, the team will have options in the bullpen in 2020. The most important part is that the Cubs get better in those high leverage situations that they were not good in 2019. Because with the 60 game schedule, every single game truly matters. They can not be giving up leads late in games and expected to find themselves back in the playoffs.