Still Multiple Options for Cubs to Improve Bullpen Even as Dodgers Keep Signing Their RP Targets

The Cubs were in on lefty Tanner Scott, even pushing themselves way past their comfort zone with a four-year, $66 million offer. He signed with the Dodgers. That seemingly opened the door to a pursuit of Kirby Yates, who would have been a better fit for Jed Hoyer’s MO because he was likely only looking for a one-year deal. He “tentatively” signed with the Dodgers. At the risk of ensuring that LA signs or trades for everyone mentioned in this piece, I wanted to look at where the Cubs turn to upgrade their bullpen.

First up are Kyle Finnegan and Carlos Estévez, both of whom have been mentioned here more than once already as having drawn the Cubs’ interest. It is CI’s understanding that the Cubs are not the favorites for Finnegan, though that could change if it’s just a matter of money. If they were willing to pay $16.5 million AAV to Scott, a deal worth a little more than half that for one year of Finnegan is doable. Estévez might require 2-3 years at $11+ million per, which is pretty risky given his track record prior to last season.

Perhaps Hoyer could turn to an old friend in David Robertson, who revived his career on the North Side two years ago and has continued pitching well even though he’s about to turn 40. Sticking with aged relievers, Kenley Jansen is still seeking a home for his 16th season. His velocity was down a couple ticks last year, but the cutter specialist can still miss bats at a high level. However, he gives up a ton of barrels and fly balls.

If I had to rank those options in terms of my preference, I think I’d go Finnegan, Robertson, Jansen, Estévez. My rationale is that I’m a believer in Porter Hodge and would prefer to see the Cubs take a route that allows him to do a little more on-the-job learning in a setup role before possibly ascending to the 9th inning on a full-time basis. Estévez worries me because it feels like it’ll take an overpay to get him and I’m not convinced his production will remain either strong or consistent.

Of course, free agency isn’t the only avenue by which to upgrade the roster. As noted in a previous piece, the Cubs could call the Padres about Robert Suárez and possibly even Dylan Cease. Hoyer has said the rotation isn’t as big a priority as the bullpen and bench, but may as well see about killing two birds with one stone. Provided Hoyer actually has the stones to pull off such a coup. He’s certainly got the prospect capital, and there’s a point at which the Cubs have to move some of these guys who don’t have solid paths to playing time in Chicago.

The 33-year-old Suárez is on a very reasonable five-year, $46 million contract that runs through 2027 and includes an opt-out after next season. Though his 22.9% strikeout rate ranked 101st out of 160 MLB pitchers with at least 50 innings last season (Tyson Miller and Jorge López were just above that at 23%), he posted a 2.77 ERA and a career-best 6.2% walk rate. What’s more, Suárez boasted an average 99.1 mph fastball that sat in MLB’s 99th percentile. He’s got a high-ish arm angle and generates more ride than most while busting righties in hard to stifle them in a big way.

I won’t get into Cease because this is about the bullpen, plus I don’t want to be even more redundant than I already have been by linking to a piece and then copy-pasting a good chunk of it like I just did above. I’m not a trade proposal honk and I would highly advise against using that trade-value estimator tool out there, but suffice to say it’d take a haul to land either Padre pitcher, let alone both. But San Diego has shown a willingness to listen to offers on both this winter.

Maybe Hoyer should just call up his ol’ buddy A.J. Preller and not hang up until he’s improved his pitching staff. Even considering the prospect cost, I think I prefer the possibility of adding Suárez to the options noted earlier.