With Spring Training games starting in a few weeks, there are still a few things the Chicago Cubs need to accomplish. It has been a week since the Cubs bolstered their bullpen with the addition of Hector Neris. The former Houston Astro is a fantastic addition to set up newly acquitted closer Adbert Alzolay in the back end of the stable. With the first spring training contest nearly three weeks away, what else does this team need to finalize their roster?
Along with Neris this offseason, the Cubs have added left-handed starting pitcher Shota Imanaga in free agency to bolster the rotation. Joining Imanaga are Michael Busch and Yency Almonte, whom the Cubs acquired from the Dodgers last month. This has been a quiet offseason for a team expecting to spend gobs of money. That can all change with one last addition to the bullpen, and the splash signing Cubs fans worldwide have been waiting for all winter.
What Else do the Cubs Need to Accomplish?
Belli, Belli, Belli
At this point, the baseball world (and even Cubs fans) are sick of hearing about the daily Cody Bellinger rumors. One day it’s his significant other following a Chicagoland realtor on social media, and the next it’s Jed Hoyer subtly dropping hits about the slugger’s potential return. It feels like Bellinger back in Wrigleyville is a forgone conclusion. However, until the papers are signed, he remains up for grabs, regardless of who is “favored” to land him.
One must imagine it’s all about the numbers at this point. With Bellinger being a Scott Boras client, the asking price on their end has to be absurd. This is understandable, but this is where a grudge match comes into play. In theory, all signs point to Belli remaining on the north side of Chicago. Whoever will give in first in the negotiation process will determine how quickly this gets done.
His presence in the three-hole or cleanup spot is exactly what this team needs. After seeing the damage he did last year, it’s apparent that he can be a short and long-term fix.
Southpaw Central
Dating back to last season, the Cubs never had a consistent left-handed option in the bullpen. In 2022, it was Brandon Hughes. Despite having some decent stuff, Hughes couldn’t stay off the IL in 2023. Anthony Kay was the bullpen’s lone lefty, but he struggled mightily last year and didn’t last too long with the club. Luke Little getting called up was a refreshing sight to see, but the young hard-throwing prospect can’t be the team’s only southpaw option entering 2024.
A couple of arms for the Cubs to potentially make a move on are Scott Alexander and Tanner Scott.
Alexander is 30 years old entering the 2024 season and spent 2023 with the San Francisco Giants. He posted a 7-3 record with a 4.66 ERA last season. Despite having a negative WAR, Alexander is a solid veteran presence who has had success at multiple stops in his career. He is most remembered for his time as a Dodger from 2018-2021. He had an ERA of 2.78 and a 1.372 WHIP across 94 career innings in Dodger blue.
Scott is a name that picked up a ton of steam from the Marlins last year, and it’s easy to see why. The 29-year-old had a breakout season, possessing a 2.31 ERA and a 0.987 WHIP across 78 innings tossed. His strikeout-to-walk ratio also sat at an astounding 4.33, by far the best of his career.
The Bottom Line
While Scott’s numbers are much more promising than Alexander’s, he comes at a much steeper cost. Scott is still under team control in Miami, and with how good of a 2023 he had, the Marlins’ asking price for him could be a handful. Alexander on the other hand is still a free agent, and his not-outstanding numbers from a season ago show he could be a cheaper addition to the bullpen.
It all depends on how much the Cubs are willing to give to fix this issue in the bullpen. The same goes for Bellinger as well. If the organization can walk into Opening Day with Belli and a solid left-handed option in the bullpen to accompany Little, they would be in pretty decent shape to contend for a division crown in 2024.
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