Cubs Rumors: Three closers to pursue at the trade deadline

The Chicago Cubs are in desperate need of bullpen help, and there are a few teams that may look to move their closers at the deadline.

Although it feels like the season just started, the trade deadline will soon be upon us. The Chicago Cubs are likely to be very active given their strong performance so far and significant need for anybody who can throw a ball halfway decent out of the bullpen. If they want to compete in October, a 7.30 bullpen ERA isn’t going to cut it.

Closer Craig Kimbrel’s struggles have left the team without a definite solution at the back end of the bullpen. Jeremy Jeffress has done well enough to close out games with support from Rowan Wick, but the team can’t ride these two forever, and everyone else sends chills down your spine. The Cubs need some support, and, thankfully, they have a few options to look into this year.

There are more than a few teams that may look to offload their closers for the right trade. We’ve already discussed a few relievers the team could pursue like Trevor Rosenthal or potentially a game-changing move for someone like Kirby Yates. Still, they need to explore all the options available, even if it means merely obtaining another lefty out of the ‘pen aside from Kyle Ryan.

The closers that may be on the market this year range from more expensive, high-end relievers to solid arms that are, at the very least, an improvement on what we currently have. Regardless of their status, all of these guys could give the team a much-needed shot in the arm and could be realistically obtained by the Cubs if they so desire. Here are a few potential options that best fit the team’s needs.

Ian Kennedy could fit the bill for the Chicago Cubs

One of the most heavily underrated closers from 2019 was starter turned closer Ian Kennedy of the Kansas City Royals. He’s a big-league veteran amid his fourteenth season in the majors, but this is only his second year as the Royals’ closer. Still, he’s adapted to the situation well and could be a worthwhile pickup.

Kennedy saved 30 games last season and posted a very respectable 3.41 ERA with a FIP under three. His curveball was particularly deadly, generating a swing-and-miss almost 25 percent of the time and clocking in with above-average spin rate at 2,687 RPM. He hasn’t found the same success so far this year, but it’s early, and he’s still worth a look.

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The main concern the Cubs should have with pursuing Kennedy right now is his struggle with the long ball this year. Again, it’s early, but he’s already given up four long balls in seven innings of work when he only gave up six in over sixty innings last year. Still, his strikeout numbers look good so far, and he has yet to issue a free pass, which is more than can be said about some of the team’s current arms.

He’s a free agent following the 2020 season, so he’d act as a rental for the Cubs and a pretty serviceable one at that. Perhaps he could be lumped in with a more significant trade for someone like Whit Merrifield, but they could get him for relatively cheap on his own. It’s hard to say whether he’d be closer material in Chicago, but his starting pitching background could make him a reliable reliever that could lock down multiple innings to get to the closer.

The Cubs could look into Pirates closer Keone Kela

If the Chicago Cubs decide to scour their own division for pieces to improve with, one of their best options would be to look at Pirates closer Keone Kela. Though he has yet to pitch this year due to COVID-19, Kela’s proven himself to be one of the sneakier good bullpen arms since 2015. Aside from a down year in 2016, he’s always had an ERA under 3.50 and, more often than not, finds himself sitting below three.

In 2019, Kela had an ERA at 2.12 with a WHIP of 1.011 and FIP of 3.52 through 29 2/3 innings, furthering the narrative that he’s a reliever worth serious attention. The Cubs would likely lean on him more than the Pirates have, but obviously, health is a concern when looking at bringing him in. His 2019 performance was hindered by right shoulder issues that kept him out for much of the season, but it hasn’t seemed to slow him down.

Kela’s a fairly obvious target for the Cubs given that they’re more familiar with his stuff and that he’s highly expected to leave Pittsburgh this year via the trade deadline. The Pirates are sitting at the bottom of the division, and he’s easily their best bullpen piece. Assuming his health is in order by the deadline, he’s definitely worth acquiring given his stuff and pedigree between the Pirates and the Rangers.

There are far more relievers out there that the Chicago Cubs could take a look at, but these three represent a few rental closers that fit the team’s need for production out of the bullpen. If this truly is the team’s “Last Dance,” they need to pull out all of the stops to make the most of this opportunity, and to pick up a high-quality arm is the way to fix their one glaring weakness.