Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs Need Lefty Bullpen Help: Enter Wandy Peralta

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Tyler Edmunds | Last updated 1/27/24

With the recent signings of Hector Neris and Carl Edwards Jr., it’s clear that the Chicago Cubs will be banking on another solid bullpen to reach the top of the NL Central division in 2024.

With Javier Assad, Adbert Alzolay, Edwards Jr., Julian Merryweather, and Neris in the mix, the Cubs have many right-handed arms to choose from. But how do things look on the left side?

Veteran southpaw Drew Smyly wasn’t bad out of the bullpen last season as he posted a 2.55 ERA in just under 29 innings, but the Cubs were otherwise light on lefties. Brandon Hughes posted a 7+ ERA over 17 appearances and Anthony Kay had a 6.35 ERA in 13 outings. Luke Little was spotless in almost seven innings of work, but can he translate that success over a larger sample size in 2024? Possibly, but an extra left-handed arm should be a priority for the Cubs before the 2024 season.

Enter Wandy Peralta

Peralta is coming off the best three seasons of his career so far, posting respectable numbers with the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. Over that span, Peralta has averaged a 2.96 ERA and 1.209 WHIP with 141 strikeouts against 68 walks while holding opposing hitters to a .219 batting average.

The 2023 campaign was arguably the best season of Peralta's eight-year career. In 63 appearances, he had a 2.83 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 30 walks while holding hitters to a .190 average across 54 innings pitched.

Here’s the eye-catching stat about Peralta’s 2023 season that would play well for the Cubs: he ranked in the 94th percentile in ground-ball percentage. He also ranked in at least the 80th percentile in hard-hit percentage, chase percentage, average exit velocity, and fastball velocity.

Peralta’s pitch arsenal consists of a changeup, sinker, slider, and four-seam fastball. The changeup and sinker were his most effective pitches in 2023.

An offer similar to Neris's deal would make sense for Peralta, who will be entering his age-32 season. Add in an opportunity to jump into Tommy Hottovy’s Pitch Lab, and the Cubs could potentially have the most effective left-handed reliever in 2024.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: