Chicago Cubs: 3 free agent relievers who could make all the difference

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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)CartPoised to be spenders in the upcoming offseason, the Chicago Cubs seem to be committed to making upgrades across the entire board. While the bulk of this winter’s spending will almost certainly be on starting pitching, the rest of the team is far from perfect, and Jed Hoyer and the front office are undoubtedly aware of that fact. /

While the Cubs should remain players for some bigger position players as well, there’s no reason to ignore the bullpen this winter. Though there were many positive developments in the bullpen, maybe more so than any other spot on the team, there are many relievers that will be on the market that could be had for a fair price and become valuable pieces.

Chicago Cubs: Mychal Givens presents a low-risk, high reward option

Though his 2021 season didn’t end in dominant fashion, Mychal Givens was a solid piece in both the Rockies and Reds bullpens last season. Givens has always been a very good strikeout pitcher, with a career rate of 10.6 per 9, and has a very solid 2.91 SO/W ratio. Those rates dipped a bit below his career averages, as well as having an ugly 1.5 HR/9 in Colorado before his trade, there’s reason to believe he’s worth the gamble.

For one, Givens is likely to be dirt cheap as his value almost certainly decreased over the last two seasons, and the Cubs were rumored to be interested in acquiring the righty when he was still with Baltimore. The veteran was a very underrated and overlooked reliever with the Orioles, and getting him out of two exceedingly hitter-friendly ballparks that he’s been in the last few seasons could potentially pay off in a big way, and give the Cubs a surprisingly useful high-leverage arm.

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