Cubs' rotation depth comparatively better than the previous season
Things seem way different now for a club in the rebuilding phase. Rotation was an area of concern that they needed to focus; which they did. And it will have a potentially good impact on the team now.
Unlike the previous season when it did not have a particularly strong pitching lineup, recent deals/contracts with pitchers embolden the Cubs a great deal.
This past week, Chicago Cubs signed pitcher Edwin Jackson to four-year deal, worth $52 million, contract. This was a big move after the club’s bid to woo Anibal Sanchez failed as the pitcher was signed by the Detroit Tigers with $80 million contract.
The Cubs had reportedly offered $77 million to Sanchez. Nonetheless, their pursuit in Jackson’s case has borne fruit now, something that will surely please both the team and the fans.
The pitcher has got no trade clause. This will essentially mean that he will have no protect as the two pitchers earlier signed: Scott Baker and Scott Feldman.
What is interesting to note now is that the Cubs have rotation depth that was probably unthinkable until the last season.
Along with four starters that have been included in the lineup now, the Cubs have at their disposal Matt Garza, Jeff Samardzija and Travis Wood.
But the Cubs have other considerations too. Scott Baker and Matt Garza come with respective injuries that led to their being shut down this past season.
Baker had Tommy John surgery while elbow injury plagued Garza. Once the deal was reported on Thursday, Garza tweeted about it. If read between the lines, he too might be wondering about what the Cubs’ plans are for the near future.
“Like I said last night, EJax is my boy! I heard it from a cubs horse last night!! That horse being EJax! Nice to have another in the stable!," read his tweet.
The Cubs, on the other hand, have made their moves quite meticulously. Being equipped with resources, and sufficient amount available to them, all the recent moves – including signing of the Japanese reliever Kyuji Fujikawa, the Cubs are a comparatively
better side defensively than the past year.
After a season wherein they saw 101 losses, a fairly stronger pitching lineup will go to the Cubs’ favour, enabling them to reverse the tide. The Cubs, being in the building phase, have the chance to fare better this time round provided the fate is not thinking
something else.
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