After adding two starters, Chicago Cubs focusing on bullpen – MLB News
While the Spring Training schedule was announced on Friday, November 30, the Chicago Cubs were focusing on a range of other issues requiring immediate attention in the offseason. Acquisition of the right players for different positions is one of them.
Cubs’ concern, among other things, has been rotation and the bullpen. When it comes to starters, the Cubs added Scott Baker and Scott Feldman – the two free agents with experience, adding to the rotation’s strength.
Rotation did not have to be the Cubs’ Achilles ’ heel; so the move was quick and apparently rewarding.
Now, as the general manager Jed Hoyer said, closers are what the Cubs are looking for. Japanese pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa is said to have impressed the Cubs.
"If we bring in someone who has closing experience, or a number of guys who have closing experience, that's no knock on Carlos," Hoyer said. "I think every team in baseball wants to have an assortment of guys back there who, if the need arises, can pitch in the ninth inning. Hopefully we can do that."
The pitcher that came forward as one of the best closers out there in the past season was Carlos Marmol, having 20 saves out of 23 chances. To be seen is what Cubs’ next move will be about Marmol.
The National League Central was predominated by the Cincinnati Reds bullpen which had one of the best records in the league. That was position of strength for the Reds and the Cubs will surely try to improve on it.
When Hoyer was asked about it, he had a candid acknowledgement to make and gave a view of how the Cubs are looking at it.
"We still look at it as an area of need," Hoyer said. "We're actively looking to improve our bullpen and we haven't been able to address that yet this winter with the exception of bringing back Shawn Camp."
With more depth required, the Cubs will be looking to move carefully given the fact that their pitchers like Paul Maholm and Matt Garza had somehow their season shortened due to respective injuries.
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