Cubs Rumors: Three bullpen targets in free agency

Chicago Cubs: Keone Kela has appealing strikeout stuff

Whereas Clippard uses finesse to get outs, right-hander Keone Kela boasts some powerful stuff.

Kela’s fastball reaches into the upper-90s, and he compliments the heat with a hard-biting breaking ball that drops off the table.

The 27-year-old is striking out 11 opponents per nine innings for his career, and he has traditionally maintained a strong homer rate. This could make him the kind of arm the Cubs would covet.

Chicago’s other power pitchers in the bullpen have plenty of velocity but also succumbed to the long ball quite often in 2020. The Cubs need guys who can keep things tight and get big strikeouts in key moments.

It would seem Kela could be this guy. There is reason to be concerned about his forearm issues, which limited him to just three appearances this year.

Kela misses bats and induces soft contact. The recent injuries might limit his market, but the Cubs should not be dissuaded from making overtures.