3 best remaining lefty-reliever targets ahead of Spring Training

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After the Chicago Cubs signed Michael Fulmer, rumors continued that they still weren't done regarding the free-agent market. Notably, the Cubs are now looking for a left-handed reliever to further bolster what will quietly be a good bullpen in 2023. After fan-favorite Andrew Chafin recently signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, options became ever the more limited - but there are still viable targets the Cubs can pursue to bolster their bullpen further.

This winter, outside of Fulmer and Brad Boxberger, It's primarily been a myriad of minor league signings that will be vying for a spot on the 26-man roster once Spring Training comes to a close at the end of March. The Cubs currently have around 12.0M under the first tier of the luxury tax, and we know the front office likes to save a few bucks for trade deadline purposes. However, Jed Hoyer must get creative in structuring deals because these relievers will be costly. Let's look at the three best remaining left-handed relievers on the market.

3 best remaining lefty-reliever targets ahead of Spring Training - Brad Hand

Let's start with Brad Hand, who has been a back end of the bullpen piece and was converted to a closer in 2017 with the San Diego Padres. Since 2016, Hand has recorded a stellar ERA of 2.89 in 429.2 IP, with a 145 ERA+ and a FIP of 3.28. Most recently, in his 12th year in the MLB, he recorded 45.0 innings and a 2.85 ERA with the Philadelphia Phillies. Now a free agent, Hand's contract demands make it tricky for the Cubs to go after him.

Last season, Hand signed in March with the Phillies on a one-year, 6.0M deal after having a down year in 2021, bouncing around from Washington, New York (Mets), and Toronto. He notched a 3.90 ERA, which was his worst mark since 2015. Now, after a solid season and an inflated market, it's hard to see Hand's price get within the price range of the Cubs unless Jed Hoyer can perhaps lure him in with a mutual option and lucrative buyout, the same way he did with Cody Bellinger, which would lower his AAV on the books for 2023. Hand only recorded five saves and didn't do as much closing in 2022, but he'd undoubtedly slide into the role for a closer-needy team like the Cubs.

3 best remaining lefty-reliever targets ahead of Spring Training - Zach Britton

Last week, it had been reported that the Cubs and five other teams were scouting Zach Britton as he threw a bullpen session. Though his career has recently been plagued with injuries, Britton was a former elite reliever, including a 1.61 ERA from 2014-2017, reaching his peak in 2016 with a 0.54 ERA in 67.0 frames. During that time frame, he earned two All-Star honors and even finished 11th in MVP voting during his stellar 2016 campaign.

The key now for Britton will simply be staying healthy to allow himself to get back into rhythm. Since 2020, he has appeared in just 38 big league innings. Between Tommy John and shoulder injuries, it's fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank. In 2022, Britton would have been the perfect high-risk, high-reward player on a one-year deal that they could have dealt at the deadline if they were in a position to sell. With the Cubs looking to compete this year, the risk may only be worth it if he can be had on a minor-league deal. With the Cubs, only 12.0M under the first tier of the luxury tax, don't expect them to shell out 9.0M of it to Britton.

3 best remaining lefty-reliever targets ahead of Spring Training - Will Smith

Will Smith is another, like Hand, who only recorded five saves in 2022 but has plenty of experience closing games in the past. Most notably, he recorded 34 in 2019 and another 37 in 2021. He had a great span from 2015-2019, with a collective 2.80 ERA, 2.72 FIP, and 145 ERA+. Though he struggled with Atlanta in the first half of 2022 with a mark of 4.38, he quickly got it together when he was shipped to Houston at the deadline, recording a 3.27 ERA and 2.66 FIP with the Astros in 24 appearances and 22 innings of work.

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The Astros unsurprisingly declined Smith's 13.0M club option for 2023. Unlike Hand, however, Smith is coming off an overall down year after earning a 3.97 ERA, his worst mark over an entire 162-game season (COVID year excluded) since his debut in 2012. Therefore, knowing Hand's price will be up, likely closer to the 8-10.0M range, and the unknowns of Britton, who wants 9.0M, Smith may be the best and cheapest option for the Cubs to take a chance on. One thing is for sure: the Cubs need to land one of these guys. In doing so, they have a respectably strong bullpen heading into 2023.

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