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DENVER – One of the Cubs’ goals over the next two months is to assess some of their internal weapons for next season and beyond. The bullpen, in particular, has some intriguing options with plenty of innings up for grabs.
Having a promising reliever base is a welcome development for manager David Ross as he now looks to the future.
“It’s something that was a bit lacking in this organization,” Ross said ahead of Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Rockies at Coors Field. “And it looks like it’s starting to catch on and we’re doing a good job of developing pitchers and finding out who can help us and who can’t.
“It’s a good place to start – the launch pad – to figure out what you start with the offseason and what you need to get.”
As a result of recent trades that sent Craig Kimbrel (White Sox), Ryan Tepera (White Sox) and Andrew Chafin (A’s) elsewhere, the Cubs have a wide open reliever box situation. On Wednesday night, a strong start from Alec Mills and a three-point brace from Patrick Wisdom provided the final proving ground at the end of the round.
With this in mind, here are three enclosure arms to watch out for throughout the course:
1. RHP Codi Heuer
Transporting the dozen Cubs’ dozen of players among the multiple deals ahead of the trade deadline was primarily a outlook-driven. One of the MLB-ready returns was Heuer, who came from the White Sox in the deal for Kimbrel.
Heuer knows he has a big chance ahead with the North Siders looking to the future.
“I see an opportunity to play an important role in this team,” Heuer said recently. “Anyway I can help the team win, that’s what I’m going to try to do. From now on, we’re going to sort that out and see where I fit in with these guys. I’m excited for what the future holds. “
Heuer, 25, posted a 1.52 ERA in a solid 2020 MLB debut season for the White Sox, but has seen his production drop this year (5.12 ERA in 40 games before the trade) . That said, the Cubs have a lot to assess, work on, and iron out.
Heuer’s lead averaged 96.5 mph this year, according to Statcast, but he allowed a wOBA of 0.470 in the field in 21, up from 0.260 in 20. His slider (.211 wOBA with an odor rate of 42.5% this year) and its change (.152 wOBA with an odor rate of 47.7% in 21) were nevertheless effective.
There’s plenty of room for Heuer to grow up and find a home as a back-end arm for the Cubs. In Wednesday’s win, the right-hander threw in the eighth, working around a starting single and finishing his scoreless frame with a ground double play from the start of Trevor Story.
“Codi is still young,” Ross said. “And a guy with experience under his belt. It’s impressive.”
2. RHP Manuel Rodriguez
Ross isn’t ready to apply the ‘nearer future’ label to rookie Rodríguez, but the manager understands why fans might start dreaming that way.
“I don’t want to put this on somebody,” Ross said. “I think he definitely has the makings. I mean, 100 [mph] with two secondary locations, of course, you could make that assumption. I do not know. It takes a lot of experience to handle these moments. “
Rodríguez, 24, has posted three numbers on the SiriusXM All-Star Futures game’s radar gun and has done so since arriving from Triple-A Iowa after the deadline moved. Beyond the high-octane fastballs (ballast and slider), the right-hander also impressed Ross with his cutter and brittle bullet.
This repertoire has helped Rodríguez post a 1.31 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season.
Beyond the stuff, Ross also liked Rodríguez’s composure. That actually included the pitcher’s reaction to allowing a home run on Sunday against the Nationals.
“It doesn’t look like he’s going to be too confused,” Ross said. “I was really impressed with this. It’s not how you handle success. It’s how you handle his behavior.”
Ross gave Rodríguez the ninth inning on Wednesday night and the rookie responded with his first career save. He sat down to 97-99 mph with his lead, recorded one strikeout, and dodged potential damage with a single to two strikeouts.
3. RHP Rowan Wick
Granted, there are other active arms to watch out for like right-hander Michael Rucker and Trevor Megill among others. That said, Wick was a valuable and closer part-time setup man during the 2019-20 seasons (2.66 ERA in 50 games), and he’s set to return to the Majors at some point.
Wick has suffered a left-sided injury since late last year, but he recently moved his Minor League rehab (while on the 60-day injured list) to Iowa. The great right-hander struck out one of the two hitters faced Tuesday and has 11 strikeouts on three walks in 5 1/3 innings since returning to games.
Returning 28-year-old Wick to the MLB reliever box before the end of the season would give the Cubs a chance to get a good feel for his health and progress. It would also give Wick something to pack into the offseason as he tries to gain a foothold as a reliable option late in the round.
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