Cubs Reportedly Signing Former Mets Righty Robert Gsellman
The Cubs have added another pitcher, with Jesse Rogers reporting that they’ve agreed to a deal with former Mets righty Robert Gsellman. The 28-year-old has been beset by injuries over the last three seasons, starting with a torn lat that caused him to miss the end of the 2019 season. He got a late start on the 2020 campaign due to right triceps soreness, then he suffered a fractured rib that ended his season early. A right lat strain last year shut him down in late June after pitching 28.2 innings over 17 appearances (one start).
Cubs stuff: As others have reported, SS Jonathan Villar has agreed to a one yr deal for 6 M…Daniel Norris will make 1.75 m with 2 mil in incentives after agreeing yesterday…And they’ve agreed on a deal with former Met righty P Robert Gsellman, per a source.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 17, 2022
Gsellman, who has been with the Mets organization since being drafted in the 13th round in 2011, worked mainly as a starter when he came up in 2016. That changed in 2018, when he moved exclusively to a bullpen role, but he flipped back again in 2020. Boasting a 94 mph sinker that makes up about 60% of his repertoire, Gsellman also has a slider and change, mixing in a curve and four-seam once in a while.
The heavy sinker usage means he’s more of a contact pitcher who gets outs with grounders rather than strikeouts, so that’s right in line with what the Cubs are used to. Gsellman is capable of pitching really well, but consistency isn’t one of his hallmarks and he really needs to miss more bats.
In other pitching news, the Cubs have brought righty Adrian Sampson back on a minors deal. The 30-year-old made five starts out of 10 total appearances for the Cubs last year and will provide solid depth at Triple-A Iowa.