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Chicago Cubs Rumors: 3 right-handed reliever targets in free agency
The Chicago Cubs have been connected to several key players this winter to help bolster both the starting rotation and the lineup moving forward. The third piece of that puzzle is assembling a top-notch bullpen moving forward. Clearly, the most important part of free agency is landing those big fish that move the needle the most toward contention, but picking up guys that can eat up innings in big spots is quietly just as important.
Thankfully, there are several key names in the free-agent reliever department this winter. Guys that have great experience and have put up very solid numbers throughout their careers. The Cubs will need to land at least one to further fortify their bullpen for next season. Preferably, someone that can come in and has the experience to close games in big spots. Let's take a look at three righty relievers, some former Cubs, who the organization should have on their radar this winter.
3 righty reliever targets - 3. Kenley Jansen
After Jansen's one-year, 16MM contract with the Braves expired, he is once again set to hit free agency this winter. In Atlanta, Jansen wasn't quite able to capture the revitalized magic he saw in Los Angeles in 2021 where he posted a 2.22 ERA, a mark of sub-3.00 that he hadn't earned since 2017. In Atlanta, he wound up with a 3.38 ERA while recording a National League-leading 41 saves in the process. Moving forward, the Cubs would be apt to add the future Hall of Famer to their bullpen.
Though we know the Cubs need a lefty veteran presence, there is still nothing wrong with adding Jansen, who you'd imagine would see some success in the NL Central. When one guy can still slam the door shut and help his team secure a victory in 25% of games played, it goes to show just how valuable he can still be even if he isn't recording an ERA in the 1.00s or 2.00s. We already know the Cubs have been connected with the Wasserman Agency in the past regarding Seiya Suzuki last season and now Kodai Senga this year. Perhaps, while they're at it, they can negotiate a deal for Jansen as well.
3 righty reliever targets - 2. David Robertson
This is one of those moves I personally would love to see the Cubs pull off. In a non-competitive 2022, the Cubs traded David Robertson to the Phillies in return for Ben Brown, who is now one of the team's top pitching prospects. In an ultimate sort of flip Robertson to strengthen the farm move, the Cubs are now in a position to reacquire Roberson in free agency after posting a stellar season, both with the Cubs and the Phillies.
When traded at the deadline, Robertson had recorded 20 saves to the tune of a 2.23 ERA. He then went on to Philly where he further excelled with a 2.70 and 6 saves, finishing the 2022 campaign with a 2.70 ERA and 20 saves in total. For his career, Robertson has an impressive 2.89 ERA. He was fantastic for the Cubs last year and there is no reason the Cubs shouldn't get after their former closer once again.
3 righty reliever targets - 1. Craig Kimbrel
Speaking of former Cubs closers, we come to the everso-unpredictable Craig Kimbrel. Let's keep in mind that the last year and a half hasn't been great for Kimbrel, but while he was with the Cubs before being traded to the Chicago White Sox, he posted a ridiculous 0.49 ERA in 39 appearances. The former eight-time all-star and former Rookie of the Year's FIP also just sat at 1.10, showing how dominant he truly was during that stretch, as he went on to represent the Cubs in the 2021 All-Star Game at Coors Field.
dark. Next. Jameson Taillon seeking four years
Since that time, however, Kimbrel stumbled on the south side of Chicago. So much so that on April 1, after the Sox picked up his option, they traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in return for A.J. Pollock. Kimbrel went on to post a slightly below-league-average ERA mark of 3.75. He was left off the NLDS roster come playoff time after losing his closer role in September. It must be said that after his demotion, Kimbrel wound up not allowing a run in his final six appearances of 2022. The final three of which he recorded 6 punchouts and only allowed one hit. Should Kimbrel find his resurgence, he was at an elite level towards the end of his tenure with the Cubs. A one-year deal hardly poses many risks and can be a solid flyer option for Chicago this winter. Either way, the Cubs need a veteran, and Kimbrel could find it again and dominate once more.