3 underrated pitcher signings the Chicago Cubs made this winter

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Looking back at the Chicago Cubs' transactions this winter, quite a few signings can fall into that underrated category. Specifically looking at pitchers, which figures to be one of the strengths of the Cubs this coming season, it's important to analyze who has the upside to perform at the major league level and bring the team a level of success that will be needed for the Cubs to compete in 2023. With signings at the major and minor league levels, the front office has done a great job providing the organization with depth. Let's look at three pitcher signings that could greatly impact and help steer the Cubs toward contention.

Milwuakee Brewers v Colorado Rockies / Dustin Bradford/GettyImages

3 underrated signings - 3. Brad Boxberger

Overshadowed by the signing of Cody Bellinger at the time, Brad Boxberger was signed as a solid relief piece early this winter and figures to be a solid setup guy, assuming the Cubs still acquire a true closer this winter. Fresh off a season in which he recorded a 2.95 ERA and a 25.4 K%, Boxberger was signed on a one-year, 2.8MM deal. He owns an above-average 3.44 ERA for his career, including a mark of 3.14 lifetime at Wrigley Field in 14.1 frames.

Split-wise, Boxberger owned a home ERA in Milwaukee of 4.06 in 2022 but was electric on the road with a minuscule mark of just 1.91. The hope is that his struggles can be limited to Milwaukee, where his career ERA in that park is tied for 5th worst of any ballpark he has pitched in. If he can keep up the elite road numbers and do what he has done in Chicago over his 13 appearances, he has the upside to be one of the best relievers in baseball.

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3 underrated signings - 2. Jameson Taillon

Like Boxberger before him, Jameson Taillon has had success in Wrigley Field. He has amassed a 2.25 ERA, albeit in a small sample size of 20.0 innings. 2022 was interesting for Taillon because he had a season in which he appeared to be a reverse-splits guy, allowing lines of .253/.276/.437 against right-handed hitters and .235/.292/.420 to lefties. It will be necessary for Taillon to continue being a workhorse, as he recorded 177.1 innings in 2022, the second most in his career after hurling 191 in 2018.

It will be interesting to see how the Cubs pitching staff looks to tweak anything in Taillon's repertoire. Looking at the basics, Taillon threw his slider and curveball at 18.81% and 14.82% clips with solid success. With the slider, he allowed a line of .233/.247/.440, whereas with his curve, his line against was .168/.189/.228, so a few more curveballs are warranted. Mixing up the pitch percentages is always an excellent way to make teams throw any data from years past out the window, especially when you have a six-pitch mix like Taillon.

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3 underrated signings - 1. Tyler Duffey

Most recently, the Cubs landed Tyler Duffey, formerly of the Minnesota Twins, on a minor league deal for the 2023 season. Duffey also received a Spring Training invite, so he will have the chance to break camp with the big league roster. He did have a down season in 2022, recording a 4.91 ERA, but was stellar from 2019-2021 with a combined 2.69 ERA over the course of 144 IP.

Duffey's velocity has gone down a couple of ticks, and mixing up his pitchers further will be key, Take a look at this mix, with the line allowed on each:

Knuckle-curve: .279/.347/.500 (41.97%)
Fastball: .288/.368/.525 (36.84%)
Sinker: .207/.207/.345 (14.30%)
Changeup: .111/.111/.111 (4.45%)
Curveball: .667/.667/.1.000 (2.43%)

Next. Cubs facing steep market for veteran left-handed reliever. dark

The beginning stages of diminished velocity affected him to the point where the Cubs will probably discuss utilizing the pitch slightly less. Same with his Knuckle-curve, which, combined with his fastball, was used at a 78.81% clip. Safe to say, looking at his sinker and changeup results, he will need to sprinkle in more of those moving forward. Of course, with matchups and hitter strengths, you can't just shove sinkers to a sinkerball hitter, but where possible, he will need to mix it up to get back to keeping hitters guessing and off balance. The Cubs have been building a solid track record of helping pitchers adjust, so don't be surprised to see Duffey take a step forward in 2023.

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