The Cubs activated lefty Cole Hamels from the injured list today, while reliever Brad Brach has been designated for assignment, per the Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan (via Twitter) and others.
After an uncharacteristically mediocre first half with the Orioles in 2018, the 6’6″ righty appeared to right the ship in posting a 1.52 ERA with Atlanta down the stretch. The Cubs certainly hoped so when they guaranteed Brach $4.35MM this offseason, but with a 6.13 ERA through 42 games and newcomers David Phelps and Derek Holland taking roster spots, the Northsiders no longer had space for the 33-year-old former 42nd rounder.
He could have remained under contract for a lesser salary in 2020 due to a dual option, but Brach’s future is now up in the air. His track record should land him an opportunity to help a contender somewhere – but it might not happen this week. With more than five years of service time, Brach will have the right to refuse a minor league assignment and elect free agency, at which point he would be available on the cheap while the Cubs continue to foot the bill for most of his remaining 2019 money.
There is cause to believe in Brach’s future utility. A high-than-normal .375 BABIP points to some poor luck, born out in fielding independent metrics (4.13 FIP, 4.88 xFIP). Baseball-reference WAR pegs Brach as a negative contributor for the Cubs (-0.4 bWAR), but by measure of fWAR, which uses FIP instead of ERA, Brach should still be capable of adding value down the stretch (0.4 fWAR). Lowering his walk rate from 15.3 BB% closer to his career average of 10.5 BB% would certainly help.
Hamels will start today against Gio Gonzalez and the Brewers in a matchup of recently-activated veteran lefties. Hamels is 6-3 on the year with a 2.98 ERA (3.59 FIP), but his last start came at Great American Ballpark against the Reds a little more than a month ago. Gonzalez makes his third start since being activated from the disabled list – his second straight outing against the Cubs.
Wrong link for Paul Sullivan
Whoa
I figure a lot of teams are gonna do this. Cut guys. . . Might be some good players out there to claim. Towards the end of August. For September expanded rosters…
About time. Brach has had some solid years throughout his career, but he was pretty awful this year for the Cubs.
Dude couldn’t find a corner in a maze.
Hahaha
Welcome to the Phillies Brad.
Or the Nats
IMO, the biggest bullpen problem the Cubs have this year is their offense. There wasn’t anything special about their BP in ’16 (before Chapman), but the starters were amazing as a group and the offense scored so many runs that you didn’t really notice. They really miss a true lead off hitter like the Fowler of ’15 and ’16. He was the spark. Just a thought.
That’s why the twins will go deep into the playoffs. The twins are exactly what you just described
Twins will need to play Yankees or Astros in 1st round. While I think the Twins are strong, I don’t see them winning a series against either of those teams.
Rays
Bring him back to SD where it all began. Besides Yates and now Munoz, the bullpen in San Diego is beyond sketchy. He would be a nice addition.
Can we start him in AAA?
Brad to the bosox. Couldn’t be worse then what we already have.
I was on board when the Cubs signed Brach. Much the same when the Angels signed Cody Allen. I thought both guys were strong candidates for bounce back seasons. Well, I was wrong about that. Looks like Descalso is going to hang on unfortunately.
Contreras is probably going to the IL. They should get Lucroy to back up carratini
Bye Felicia
Felicia: Hey y’all.
Felicia: sniffs the air… What’s that? What y’all doing over here?
Craig: Ain’t doing nothing over here.
Felicia: Come on y’all, hel…
Craig: Bye Felicia.
Felicia: Pfft. Give me some money then.
Craig: BYE FELICIA!
LOL!
Wonder if the braves can get him on a minor league deal if he falls all the way through. I actually still like him. He has more left in the tank in my opinion.
Darvish or Arrieta now?
Darvish. Arrieta is nothing special. He had a couple of good years in his late 20’s and then he went back to normal and now he’s hot garbage. There’s been lots of those throughout the history of baseball, but I guess no one told the phillies. Arrieta will play out his current contract and be forced into retirement because no one will want him.
Sox should be all over brach, no matter how mediocre he’s been this season