5 best single season performances by Chicago Cubs relievers in last decade

The Chicago Cubs have a pattern of bringing in veteran relievers on short-term deals. More recently, the team has used these players to flip at the trade deadline, with prominent examples being David Robertson, Andrew Chafin, and Chris Martin. However, there was a time when the Cubs actually held on to their good relievers, and a few of them hurled many solid innings out of the bullpen. Here are five guys who had outstanding seasons pitching in relief for the Cubs.

5. Carl Edwards Jr. 2017

One of the few relievers the Cubs actually developed into a viable weapon recently is Carl Edwards Jr. Although they didn't draft Edwards, as he was acquired via a trade with Texas alongside Justin Grimm in 2013, the Cubs organization is where the majority of his minor league innings took place. He even made it to the majors in time to help with the 2016 World Series winning campaign. But 2017 was arguably Edwards' best year representing the North side of Chicago. He appeared in 73 games and pitched to a 2.98 ERA with an exceptional 12.75 strikeouts per nine innings. He also held hitters to just a .134 batting average.

Unfortunately, inconsistent production and injuries resulted in the likable right hander being shipped to the Padres in 2019. He did have a bounce back season with Washington last year, but I will always remember him frolicking with a W flag after the World Series.