3 Cubs players under contract for 2023 that fans are ready to move on from

3 players that Cubs fans are ready to move on from: Rowan Wick

After his first relief appearance for the Chicago Cubs in 2019, there has long been a sense that Rowan Wick would be the future closer in the Cubs' bullpen. In 31 appearances with the Cubs in 2019, Wick posted a 2.43 ERA. Wick followed his 2019 performance up with a respectable performance in the shortened 2020 season as he compiled a 3.12 ERA in 31 appearances.

After injuries limited Wick to only 22 appearances in 2021, 2022 figured to be an important season as the Cubs tried to determine what role the 30-year-old reliever could serve with the team. After a trade deadline trade of David Robertson to the Philadelphia Phillies last season, Cubs' manager David Ross handed Wick the closer's role in the second half. Wick failed to take advantage of that opportunity as he posted a 4.22 ERA in 64 innings pitched last season while blowing 5 of his 14 save opportunities.

Long-term, it would appear that the Cubs envision Codi Heuer as the team's closer but his recovery from Tommy John surgery last year likely means he won't be back at the Major League level until around the All-Star break. Wick shouldn't be afforded another closing opportunity as time has passed for the Cubs to consider him an effective late-inning option in the bullpen.