Cubs' Bullpen Rebuilding: A Shift Towards Reliability and Depth
The Chicago Cubs' decision to sign reliever Phil Maton to a two-year, $14.5 million contract has sent shockwaves through the baseball world. The deal marks a significant departure from the team's traditional approach to bullpen construction, one that prioritizes volume over reliability.
Manager Craig Counsell described the Cubs' initial assessment of their bullpen before last season as "pretty wrong." The team's reliance on defense and veteran arms like Ryan Pressly proved effective, but not without its limitations. Counsell acknowledged that having a mix of established and young relievers was key to the team's success, but also emphasized the importance of being able to pivot when necessary.
The Cubs' new approach is centered around "getting a bunch of good arms" and then seeing what happens. They've already signed Maton and Hoby Milner, both of whom are expected to contribute in significant ways. While these signings don't align with their traditional volume approach, they do represent a shift towards reliability and depth.
Maton's signing was notable not only for its terms but also for being the first multi-year deal for a reliever since Craig Kimbrel in 2019. President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer acknowledged that the market moved quickly on Maton, and he's confident in his ability to produce. However, Hoyer also emphasized that he prefers their traditional approach, which involves taking fliers on pitchers with smaller deals while relying on the pitching infrastructure to get the most out of them.
Milner's signing is a more modest but still promising addition to the bullpen. The lefty brings a high ground-ball rate and has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, including a career-best season with the Brewers in 2023. While his deal doesn't fully embody the spirit of their volume approach, it does contain elements that could pay off.
Ultimately, the Cubs' decision to shift towards a more reliable bullpen reflects a growing recognition that consistency is key in modern baseball. By investing in established relievers and young prospects alike, they're positioning themselves for long-term success. Whether this new approach will yield results remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Cubs are committed to building a bullpen that can withstand the rigors of a 162-game season.
The Chicago Cubs' decision to sign reliever Phil Maton to a two-year, $14.5 million contract has sent shockwaves through the baseball world. The deal marks a significant departure from the team's traditional approach to bullpen construction, one that prioritizes volume over reliability.
Manager Craig Counsell described the Cubs' initial assessment of their bullpen before last season as "pretty wrong." The team's reliance on defense and veteran arms like Ryan Pressly proved effective, but not without its limitations. Counsell acknowledged that having a mix of established and young relievers was key to the team's success, but also emphasized the importance of being able to pivot when necessary.
The Cubs' new approach is centered around "getting a bunch of good arms" and then seeing what happens. They've already signed Maton and Hoby Milner, both of whom are expected to contribute in significant ways. While these signings don't align with their traditional volume approach, they do represent a shift towards reliability and depth.
Maton's signing was notable not only for its terms but also for being the first multi-year deal for a reliever since Craig Kimbrel in 2019. President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer acknowledged that the market moved quickly on Maton, and he's confident in his ability to produce. However, Hoyer also emphasized that he prefers their traditional approach, which involves taking fliers on pitchers with smaller deals while relying on the pitching infrastructure to get the most out of them.
Milner's signing is a more modest but still promising addition to the bullpen. The lefty brings a high ground-ball rate and has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, including a career-best season with the Brewers in 2023. While his deal doesn't fully embody the spirit of their volume approach, it does contain elements that could pay off.
Ultimately, the Cubs' decision to shift towards a more reliable bullpen reflects a growing recognition that consistency is key in modern baseball. By investing in established relievers and young prospects alike, they're positioning themselves for long-term success. Whether this new approach will yield results remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Cubs are committed to building a bullpen that can withstand the rigors of a 162-game season.