The Cubs have released right-handed reliever Justin Grimm, reports Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago (Twitter link). Grimm had previously lost an arbitration hearing against the Cubs, resulting in a $2.2MM salary for the upcoming season. However, since arb contracts aren’t fully guaranteed, the Cubs can cut him and owe him 45 days of termination pay based on the pro-rated portion of that base salary — a sum of about $541K.
Grimm, 29, struggled to a 5.53 ERA through 55 1/3 regular-season innings last year, due largely to a drastic spike in his home run rate. After averaging just 0.7 HR/9 with the Cubs from 2014-16, Grimm yielded an average of 1.95 homer per nine innings last season. This spring, he’s allowed a pair of homers and walked four in four innings with the Cubs.
Outside of the problem with the long ball, though, Grimm’s numbers weren’t entirely unappealing. He still averaged 94.9 mph on his fastball and posted a strong 9.6 K/9 mark with a slightly below-average 43.1 percent ground-ball rate. His average of 4.4 walks per nine innings pitched was a step backward from his 2016 numbers but an improvement from the 2015 season.
Overall, Grimm has been a largely durable source of strikeouts with questionable control as a member of the Cubs’ middle relief contingent, dating back to the 2013 season when Chicago acquired him from Texas in the Matt Garza swap. An infection in his finger cost him a period of 10 days this past August, and his lone other DL stint was a month-long absence for forearm inflammation early on in 2015.
Subtracting Grimm, who was out of minor league options, from the bullpen mix could pave the way for fellow out-of-options right-hander Eddie Butler to make the club. The 27-year-old Butler posted better bottom-line numbers last year (3.95 ERA in 54 2/3 innings), though he did so with an ugly 30-to-28 K/BB ratio. He’s had a much sharper spring thus far, however, and his prior work as a starter could make him better-suited for multi-inning relief appearances.
So I guess the 40 man spot goes to Gimenez and the 25 man spot goes to Butler?
I’d say either Eddie Butler or Dillon Maples could get the final bullpen spot, unless Maddon decides to only go with 12 pitches (highly unlikely)
Maples has been worse than Grimm this spring and only has 32 career innings above High-A under his belt. I’d bet Butler moves into the lead for a spot with Grimm’s departure, considering the fact that he, like Grimm, is out of minor league options.
Good point. Forgot about Butler being out of options.
Maples is not ready yet. Maybe they are getting ready to add a bp pitcher
I would like the cubs to go with a 16 man bullpen. seems like something Maddon would do
Or Shea Simmons
If rather see Oscar De La Cruz over butler or Maples. He’s their future closer. This year he can share the 8th inning with Carl Edwards Jr.
Grimmreaper will find another job soon.
I don’t know, he’s been pretty bad for the past 2 years. The international and indie leagues are littered with middle relievers who cashed in on 2-3 stud seasons before they submitted to mediocrity at best.
I think he has a grim prognosis.
Paging Greg Holland … Greg Holland … please pick up the white courtesy phone to speak to Theo Epstein!
was about to post this to the Greg Holland article a bit ago.. could see them signing him and bump Morrow down to setup
Yeah Holland is not as good as morrow. He faded for a reason in the second half.
If they wanted Holland they would have gotten him already. Unless it’s for 3 million no thanks
With the market as it is, he can be had for cheap. I would not mind that.
That’s what I was thinking that would be a shock and a bonus.
does this make their bullpen picture look grimm?
No it improves it. Grimm was the only BP guy I was worried about.
Put Butler in the ‘pen. He throws as hard as Grimm. If Hickey can get his control under control, he could add some serious depth
You can say his situation is … grimm!
Finally. He’s been a fat pitch waiting to happen to many times on the north side.
I wonder if the Pirates could bring him back to ’15 form?
I know he was pretty bad last year, but he is pretty low risk, high reward. Between 2014,2015 and 2016, his highest FIP was at 3.28. One change of scenery could make him a valuable arm
Relievers without options are tough though. Especially a guy like him who’s going to be rounding out the end of your bullpen. Someone will give him a chance, hopefully on a minor league deal though.
Just one question. What took so long ????
That’s what I’m saying. His outings were stressful to watch last year, and by the time the post season rolled around it was clear Maddon had seen enough and lost faith in him. He’ll land a gig somewhere, hopefully with better results.
Rather have Shea Simmons. Or Eddie Butler (out of options)
Simmons doesn’t seem to be healthy.
Wouldnt mind seeing him work with Bosio again in Detroit.
Because he was so good with Bosio the last two years?
Wouldn’t be surprised if the cardinals signed him to a minor league contract could see what the cubs pitching is like.
What? That would make very little sense even if the Cubs had the same pitching coach.
If he wouldn’t have went to arbitration hearing, would his contract have been guaranteed?
As in if he refused to show up to his arbitration hearing? I suppose the arbitrator would have ruled in the Cubs favor (which is how it worked out anyways).
It’s not like pre-arb where the team just renews the contract if they can’t come to an agreement.
I think the comment means if they would have settled on a contract avoiding the hearing all together
He could go to the Marlins their always looking for a few cheap men.
I chuckle at “get his control under control”
That’s been his MO for the last couple of years.
I think they’re trying to free up cash for a holland signing.
So all that remains from the Garza trade is Carl’s Jr?
I really hope that the Cubs have opened up this spot on their MLB roster in order to sign FA closer Greg Holland. It’s getting late in spring training and Holland is running out of time and options before opening day. His QO could be a hindrance to a rebuilding team like the Braves and his contract demands would likely dissuade the Cardinals who have never been fond of signing expensive free agent relievers.
I’m guessing that Holland would settle for a shorter term deal with a higher AAV at this point, perhaps a one year contract with an option or two year deal with an opt-out. If that’s the case, why not sign with a team like the Cubs who are a strong World Series contender that also currently lacks a dominating closer on its pitching staff.
I’m tired of all the negativity surrounding Holland’s dismal second half performance with the Rockies last season. Fact is, he only had one bad month in August in which he surrendered multiple runs in 5 of eleven appearances which killed his otherwise stellar numbers during the season. He finished 2017 with a strong September before allowing a couple of runs in a non-save situation wild card loss to the Diamondbacks in October. It’s also best to keep in mind that Holland was pitching half of his games in Colorado and also coming off a lost 2016 season to injury. Is it not possible that he hit a wall in August due to not pitching in 2016?
Some also say the Cubs may be reluctant to part with a second round draft pick by signing Holland. A counter argument could be made that they have already gained two compensatory picks when their own similarly tagged FA’s signed elsewhere, Jake Arrieta with the Phillies and as irony would have it, last season’s closer Wade Davis with the Rockies.
If Holland is willing to sign a short term deal guaranteed only for the 2018 season it would behoove the Cubs to be the team that signs him. Holland could potentially be eligible for free agency once again next offseason, one in which he won’t have to worry about being tagged with a QO ever again.
It’s easier for a reliever to wait to sign after draft then team that signs him won’t lose draft choice. Not ideal since salary pro rated but harder for sp to do
Grimm is the 11th man from the 25 man 2016 World Series roster who is now an ex-Cub.
Grimm and bear it
That really smart? Saving maybe 1.6 on a pretty good middle reliever that just needs to cut down on long balls? We couldn’t get anything back in a trade? PTBNL? Nothing?
Theo, just don’t use that excess cash to trade away the farm like you did for Aroldis. You built the club on the strength of the farm. Trading it away just turns us into your Sox before you left. Bryant, Rizzo, Russel, Baez, Lester, Quintana, etc… those contracts are all running out in a few years and the base of our team will be Heyward. We’ll need the farm you’re planning on emptying.