Lack of left-handed bullpen options is a real Cubs' weakness heading into the season

One of the questions/concerns currently surrounding the Chicago Cubs pitching staff is reliable left-handed relief options. The projected mix of arms is overwhelmingly right-handed, with Matthew Boyd, Caleb Thielbar and Jordan Wicks representing notable lefty options. Boyd will slot into the rotation and Wicks can play the role of swingman - but seems likely to open the year at Iowa to stay stretched out given he has minor league options remaining.

Per the FanGraphs Cubs roster projection, the team's sole lefty reliever is Thielbar. The 38-year old southpaw has had a solid career, pitching to a 3.38 ERA, 3.36 FIP and 1.2 WHIP with 347 strikeouts and 107 walks in 320 innings. He's got a mix of a 91-93 MPH fastball, curveball and sweeper. Career-wise he looks like a good option, but concerns with his tough 2024 season, spring training ups-and-downs and age all have to be taken into account.

Last year Thielbar pitched to a career-worst 5.32 ERA and 1.6 WHIP in 47 1/3 innings in Minnesota. His pitch run value was in the 22nd percentile per Baseball Savant. In Cactus League action this spring, his 3.60 ERA doesn't look bad and he has eight strikeouts in just five innings, but he's got a 1.6 WHIP and there's been some hard contact. Not to say this is a reason to completely write him off, he could still make the team and pitch well, but there are always some concerns with an aging arm coming off a rough season.

Looking at alternate options in case this plan doesn't work, the other lefty reliever not yet mentioned on the 40-man roster is Luke Little. He is an intriguing option given his age (24) and an arsenal that features a mid-to-upper 90s fastball and a sweeper. In 32 2/3 innings of MLB work has a 2.76 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 1.3 WHIP and 11.0 K/9. So what's holding him back? Free passes. They've been a thorn in the side of the Cubs for years in late situations and his 22 walks in those 32 2/3 frames are a red flag. For what it's worth, his projected 2025 stats look pretty solid, including a 3.18 ERA and 3.53 FIP from Steamer and a 3.41 ERA by FanGraphs DC. He has two options left so he can be called upon if needed or sent down if it doesn't work.

Either way, the options for quality left-handed relief aren't super-impressive either in quantity or shutdown quality. Thielbar or Little have the potential to be good options, but there are questions and risks. Can Thielbar overcome age and a seemingly downward trend? Can Little get a better handle on his command? Where does Wicks fit in? That narrow miss on All-Star left-hander Tanner Scott could loom large if these guys struggle early in the year.