Cubs can get needed bullpen help by bringing in Archie Bradley

Archie Bradley could give the Cubs bullpen a much-needed boost in 2021.

Free agency is well underway for all of Major League Baseball, including the Chicago Cubs. The non-tender deadline is in the rearview mirror, and as a result, there is a brand new crop of free agents up for grabs. Out of the 59 total players that were non-tendered this offseason, there are a variety of new names and potential fits for the Chicago Cubs.

While talking about the non-tender deadline it is hard to overlook the fact that Kyle Schwarber is arguably the biggest non-tender name of the offseason. However, this move did inject some money back into the team, which could be spent tending to some of the team’s glaring issues. One of those issues is ensuring that the bullpen is strong enough to help the North Siders contend in 2021.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

In efforts of the team to aid the bullpen looking towards the 2021 season, the Chicago Cubs claimed Robert Stock off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. But, this move is not enough and the team should take advantage of the newly added relievers to the free agent market that would bolster the bullpen. One of these relievers is right-hander Archie Bradley. Bradley, 28, is a former top-pitching prospect turned reliever. Not only is Bradley on the younger side, but he has found success in the bigs by pitching late in games.

Bradley spent most of his career in Arizona with the Diamondbacks, until he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds at this year’s August 31 trade deadline. However, his tenure with the Reds didn’t last long, as he was sent into the free agent market at the December 2 non-tender deadline. Throughout Bradley’s career as a starting pitcher, he posted a 3.91 ERA with a 1.359 WHIP in 255 appearances across 34 starts.

Yet, it should be noted that since Bradley had converted himself in 2017, his numbers have surely improved. Since then, Bradley has owned a 2.80 ERA with a 1.174 WHIP in 220 appearances. The way I see it is, if the Cubs do not bring back free agent reliever Jeremy Jeffress this offseason, Bradley would make a reliable eighth inning man, or closer option. Not only that, hypothetically if Kimbrel is rewarded the team’s closer slot, Bradley would make a reliable plan B, just as Jeffress did in 2021.

The bottom line is the Chicago Cubs are going to need to strengthen the pen if they want to contend in 2021. Unfortunately, while acquiring Archie Bradley would be a great way to do this, it all depends on where the team decides to spend what money there is to spend. Hopefully what has been a dark offseason lightens up, the Chicago Cubs acquire a reliable resource like Bradley this offseason.