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Chicago Cubs Rumors: 3 left-handed reliever targets in free agency
Lately, all there has been discussed is the marquee names in free agency. For the Chicago Cubs, those targets consist of the elite shortstops, some solid names in the starting pitching market, a couple of potential upper-tier outfielders, and several first basemen. However, we haven't discussed the relievers that are available. The fact is, there are several that could be extremely beneficial to the Cubs moving forward. Veteran names can help the new guys with high potential capture that ceiling rather than middle-out to average relievers in the game.
Primarily, the Cubs desperately need another left-handed pitcher in the bullpen. This winter, there happen to be several solid options to fill that role. Though relievers are a grain of sand on the beach in terms of interest compared to say Aaron Judge or Jacob deGrom, they are still vital pieces to a club's overall success. Without further ado, let's circle three left-handed relievers the Cubs need to have circled on their target list in order to help the club make an immediate impact in 2023.
3 lefty reliever targets - 3. Andrew Chafin
You recognize the name. You recognize the 'stache. Andrew Chafin is once again available in free agency. Last winter, we were hoping the Cubs would bring Chafin back to Chicago after being traded to Oakland at the deadline but he wound up signing in Detroit. With the Cubs, Chafin had a career run. He posted a 2.06 ERA in Chicago, and an even more impressive 1.53 ERA in Oakland and followed that up nicely with a 2.83 ERA in Detroit this season
Chafin actually fills a vital need for the Cubs. Though they will have multiple options for relief this year, the Cubs need another lefty. Aside from Brandon Hughes, it's really slim pickings in the southpaw department. Particularly in the back end of the bullpen. Given his track record in Chicago and already having proven himself in the Friendly Confines, it should be a no-brainer for the Cubs to at least target him this winter. There's no reason the Cubs can't bring back The Sheriff to keep lefty-lefty crime to a minimum.
3 lefty reliever targets - 2. Brad Hand
After a fantastic campaign in Philadelphia, Brad Hand graces this list in the number 2 spot after posting a 2.80 ERA in 45.0 innings with the Phils. Hand has essentially been a closer for the better part of the last 7 years. In that time from 2016 until now, he has accumulated a 2.89 ERA and recorded 130 saves in the process. Over those 429.2 innings of work, he has mowed down 533 would-be hitters, good for an 11.2 K/9.
Now a free agent, Hand could serve a vital purpose for the Cubs in the back end of the 'pen same as Andrew Chafin before him. Particularly, he would be a solid veteran presence for Brandon Hughes who figures to be an important piece of the Cubs moving forward. Hand has been pretty solid throughout the duration of his career. The three-time all-star now comes with more postseason experience fresh off a world series run.
3 lefty reliever targets - 1. Will Smith
After Will Smith had a down start to his 2022 campaign, he was traded to the Houston Astros in a move that proved exceptional for Smith because not only did he start to bounce back, but he took home some hardware in the form of a World Series ring in the process. Smith's 22.0 innings pitched in Houston to the tune of a 3.27 ERA was actually the best mark of his career since 2019. It was Smith's stretch from 2016-2019 that really put him on the map where he notched a 2.84 ERA between the Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants.
Next. Jameson Taillon seeking four years. dark
Surprisingly, Smith was left off of the playoff roster for Houston this season. However, the 33-year-old more than likely still has something left in the tank. With the Cubs' pitching infrastructure being what it is today, I'm willing to bet that they can help him find his true form. At 33 years old now, he probably won't command much in years or dollars wise. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the NL Central is not the strongest division. Between the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and a Brewers team that struggles mightily against LHPs, there's room to succeed on a Cubs team.