There’s a chance the Cubs begin the 2020 season with Tyler Chatwood back in the rotation, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times. In the final season of the three-year, $38MM deal signed before 2018, Chatwood arguably represents the most reliable option currently on the roster. Chatwood recovered from a disappointing first season in Chicago with 76 2/3 innings of 3.76 ERA/4.28 FIP baseball while mostly serving as a long man out of the pen. In a year in which the Cubs tested out numerous young arms, Chatwood emerged as a reliable alternative for intermittent opportunities in high-leverage situations, though most of his usage came in the middle innings. He did start five games in 2019, going 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA while averaging between four and five innings per start.
Despite Chatwood’s bounceback – at this stage of his career – there’s probably not a lot of unrealized upside to unearth as a rotation arm. The Cubs will look to add arms to push Chatwood for that rotation spot in the spring. Given their financial situation and the volume of competition for the top remaining arms in free agency, it’s unlikely they’ll be players in that space.
Internally, Adbert Alzolay represents the stiffest competition for the fifth starter’s job. He’s also probably the most exciting candidate for Cubs’ fans, who would love to see a 25-year-old homegrown pitcher earn a turn every fifth day. Theo Epstein and company would surely love to get that monkey off their backs as well. The Epstein regime has somewhat famously failed to develop any homegrown pitching over their Chicago tenure. After an uneven 2019 in which he made his big league debut, Alzolay will need a strong spring to take the role outright. With only 12 1/3 innings at the big league level last season, Alzolay maintained his rookie status and remains the Cubs fifth-ranked prospect per MLB.com.
Alec Mills and Jharel Cotton are two other names to keep an eye on. Mills, 28, doesn’t have the prospect pedigree, but he’s been quietly solid when called upon the last two seasons. The former Royals farmhand is a sleeper favorite should Alzolay prove unready. He also happens to be out of options. Cotton was recently acquired from the A’s in the type of low-cost, high-risk move that has become a staple of the Epstein Cubs. Cotton went to Oakland in the mid-2016 deal that sent Josh Reddick and Rich Hill to the Dodgers. For what it’s worth, the Cubs saw enough in Cotton to add him to the 40-man roster in advance of the Rule 5 draft.
In terms of long shots, the Cubs added another former Dodgers farmhand, Brock Stewart, during the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Justin Steele was also added to the 40-man roster. The 24-year-old southpaw made 11 starts in Double-A with a 5.59 ERA. Steele and Stewart rank pretty far down the totem pole, but they’ll have an opportunity to impress the brass in Spring Training.
As of right now, it’s looking like a fairly open competition to take Cole Hamels recently vacated rotation slot. Jon Lester, Yu Darvish, Kyle Hendricks, and Jose Quintana make up the front four, and that’s unlikely to change, barring a Quintana trade. Lester and Darvish have no-trade clauses, and Hendricks ranks among the least-likely Cubs to be traded given the affordable contract that keeps him in Chicago through the 2024 season.
The cubs should resist blowing it up. Darvish, Hendriks, Lester, Quintana, & Chatwood/other is a solid guy every day. 4 guys that have been aces could be huge in August/September. Morrow has good seasons when he needs to secure a good contract. The offense Will bounce back without Madden moving tgem around the field all the time.
they should consider moving one member for that matter and seeing if they can still contend while with a bit extra payroll/prospect capital.
I wouldn’t rely on Lester anymore. Darvish and Hendricks are decent and we all know how good they can be. Quintana is, meh. I think they do blow it up while they can because that rotation doesn’t compete with the cubs or either the reds.
Oops meant to say cardinals instead of cubs my bad.
Ha ha Cub fan here we beat ourselves all the time
Has not competed with Milwaukee in 2018 or 2019 either…
You mean 2018 where they were tied after 162 games? Can’t get any closer
They had a tie breaker! They lost.
Typical Cub fan content with losing.
Typical cub fan content with losing???? I know we have watch tons of meaningful games in September and October since 2007. As a sux fan can you say you’ve played in more than one playoff series where you went 1-3, and by the way should have got swept, during that same time frame? Were you a fan back then or are you one of the 1,500 fans who turn up and flap their gums when they think the sux might do good?
I’m not saying this to be demeaning or insulting, but I don’t think you’ve watched many Cubs games. Darvish has only recently put it together, but who knows if it stays together. Hendricks either looks like Greg Maddux or a single A pitcher who is hungover, lost his command, and is pitching against the Yankees. Lester is aging and showed HUGE signs of this last season. He isn’t the same. Quintana is hit or miss, and a good start will only yield 5 innings, as he gets rocked the third time through the order.
It’s amazing how pedestrian Quintana has become since his time with the White Sox.
Sox should bring Q back.
He misses “Coop” and hasn’t worked with a qualified pitching coach since he left the South side. It’s not Q’s fault he was traded.
Quintana does miss Cooper, however, he managed to get through four or five innings then opposing teams started to hit him. Quintana should stay in the National League.
It’s funny that a pitcher in his prime can have a down year but on older like Lester is automatically considered aging. He had a great 2018 and unless he’s got an injury I’m not aware of, why doesn’t he deserve the benefit of the doubt? He might be aging and the worst could come quickly but at this point I’d take him gladly as a starter. My question is who is a better value for 2020, David Price or Jon Lester?
I’d disagree with comment on Hendricks. That guy is the epitome of season to season consistency. Does he have bad starts? Sure but he gives you a ton of quality innings and starts. Lester looks like he lost a step, Quintana usually has stretches of greatness but for the most part is a reliable innings eater. The Cubs need that legitimate ace but unfortunately there aren’t many out there and zero the cubs can afford right now. Still a solid rotation. Cubs hopes rely on Darvish and Kimbrel this year. If they suck so will the Cubs
Ditto
Guys bounce back. Lester was great in 2018, Darvish was one of the best pitchers in the nl the second half of 2019. Nobody would have called wainwright’s solid year last year after hardly pitching the year before. Veteran guys who are used to winning by are valuable if you are in a pennant race. I’ve seen Lester long enough to not count him out.
Lester was good even in the first half this year. I agree that he can be valuable even if he is the 3 or 4 guy.
You’re right about Quintana but that’s only because he has a white sux pedigree
Stop drinking the Cubs Kool-Aid.
Cubs have already blown up. Did u watch them try to play last season?
Not really- they have starters that go 6 (who doesn’t) the bullpen is horrible.
I would start there. Should beat out the Pirates
You must not have watched them, must have been busy trolling like usual. They fell apart at the end with a lot of injuries but were in first place 93 days last season. Hardly call that “blown up”, you act like they were in 5th place all season.
He needed to secure a contract last year, and didn’t do well.
They have no intention blowing anything up. Get possibly 5 players for Bryant would help them in the long run. They dont need to extend Contreras, Rizzo and Baez yet. They have 2 and 3 years to even talk about that.
Lester has absolutely nothing left. Hitters are literally drooling when they get to face Lester. He has to pray they chase balls out of the zone, anything close is crushed.
Early to make that call. He was good in the first half.
As a Brewer’s fan this is good news.
Well the Cubs have questions at their #5 starter that is true. However as a Cubs fan I feel good knowing the Brewers have questions at all 5 slots so thank you.
Yes I can’t stop laughing at thinking those 5 are there starters.
*their
If I was a Brewers fan, I’d be worried about my own team, because they’re getting ready to drop the figurative A-bomb on that team. 2019 will be the last year you guys are good for a long while.
As a Reds fan this is good news
Its gonna be reds, cards and cubs for the next 4 or 5 years competing for the NL Central division. I’m a Cubs fan. I’d bet that the reds win one of the wild card spots for 2020
I didn’t think your writers slept, 8 hours between articles, what’s going on?
Mills should get the job if they don’t sign anyone, he’s been excellent. Chatwood looked really good out of the pen too, so I don’t know why they’d want to mess with a good thing.
I agree. Mills seemed to be solid every time they called on him.
He’s a once around the league guy
Mills is good in small doses but doesn’t have the stuff to stick around long term. He would be appealing in a trade package along with Bryant
Alec Mills? What are you smoking?
Because you still go with the best starter even if he did well in the bullpen.
Don’t forget about Brailyn Marquez.
Maybe in 2021.
They will probably trade him for a stiff just like they did in the Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease talent dump……….a trade that made Brock for Broglio look good.
This way they can throw all the money at Baez before someone good gets it.
guy will be in our rotation in 2 years. They seem to not pay any attention to the Cub minor league teams at all..
Worth considering: openers, with guys like Wick and Ryan opening, and guys like Chatwood and Cotton being bulk guys. Could be useful for a different look and spelling Lester once in a while.
Can we stop talking about MLB.com’s prospect rankings? They haven’t been updated since the draft.
Is mayonnaise a candidate?
Cubs have the best and deep rotation for 2020 in NL Central.
Reds rotation is way better. I’m a Cubs fan saying this
Five starters who used to be good.
If it was 2017
Id have to say reds and cardinals are better but I think the cubs have the best offense as of right now. The bullpen is a coin flip. Cards looked great last year and stunk the year before and vice versa for the cubs.
Cubs bullpen is crap
Ironically they had the best teak era in baseball in August. … might have been September. Doesn’t matter it wasnt good enough and too little too late. Time to move on and sign Dallas Keuchel and bolster their rotation.
Considering the cubs have about 60 percent turnover, I’d say December is probably to early to make a prediction. The cubs bullpen is one hundred percent going to live or die with ck though.
i agree sign Keuchel and the spot will open for Marquez when Lester retires.
Since this is Chatwoods contract year he will win 20 games get a fat extension and return to the 2017 Chatwood
I would love to see it
If that happens. He gets the extension and then turns back to crap. That’s what I hope happens. That’s what I was sayin
You have a group of starters who can’t, or won’t throw strikes, coupled to a below average bullpen who can’t get three outs without giving up walks and longballs.
The cubs have all the elements of a perfect storm for disaster… rookie manager, bad pitching, low contact hitting lineup, marginal fielding. Can’t win on the road or protect a lead, etc. cubs fans and the front office still living in 2016, so it doesn’t matter I guess. No playoff baseball in 2020 for Chicago is a certainty, and I’m not happy about that at all.
White Sox – sign Keuchel, trade for Archer
They could make it interesting
Why would those two want to go to a 4th place team?
The White Sox will compete this year. People who know baseball know this since the line up is going to be lethal once Robert and Madigral come up later in the season.
You could have written this same ‘opinion’ as late as last May about the Nationals and you would’ve been dead wrong. But don’t let the unpredictable nature of baseball cloud your continual hatred of the Cubs. You’re always so well informed and unbiased.
The only thing the cubs and Nats might have had in common was the bullpen issues. Aside from that, nothing I said relates to the Nats. They have a dominant pitching staff, and quality contact hitters in that lineup. Maybe you should watch cubs baseball before you start telling people what they didn’t see with their own eyes.
Well, of course, you completely missed the point.. Hey, maybe if you got off your eternal rant, someone would actually agree with you besides just White Sox homers.
Scumbag.
You lost me at the starters can’t throw strikes.
cubs pitchers do not throw over the plate. they work the edges and try to get ahead in the count. That’s when they get in trouble—getting behind. They’re forced to either throw over the plate, or walk guys because as a group they don’t have swing and miss stuff. I’ved watched over 500 games the last three seasons. I know their strategy, and it’s not to throw pitches in the zone (over the plate). Your little stat won’t tell you that. Lester is the worst at this, which explains why his walk and HR totals are climbing. You’re gonna dig up some stat to tell me why the crappy bullpen is good now, right? Watch a baseball game every once in a while and you might understand the game better.
I just can’t with you anymore. What stat would you suggest I use to show the cubs starting pitchers throw strikes if not bb/9? Kyle Hendricks entire game is working the edges my 4 year old knows that. I’ve seen many comments from you the highly suggest you never watch baseball. Don’t have swing and miss stuff?
Lester k/9 8.7 ranked 32nd amongst pitchers with 486 outs
Darvish 11.5 ranked 7th
Hendricks 7.6 ranked 47th
Quintana 8.0 ranked 42nd.
White Sox
Giolito 5th
Lopez 38th
Nova 63rd
Cubs are also one of six teams that had four pitchers to log 486 outs or more. There is tremendous value in that’s statistic. The reds/astros/Mets and nationals the only teams with better swing and miss stuff with their starters. I’d imagine Tb and red Sox would be up there but their staffs were demolished by injury.
Watch the game and stop relying on cherry-picked stats to tell you what you want to believe. If it wasn’t for Castellanos’ bat, the cubs would have finished exactly as PECOTA predicted. The underlying issues with the roster haven’t been addressed, which means even more regression in 2020. They still don’t have a reliable closer or setup relievers, an everyday CFer, an Ace caliber pitcher, leadoff hitter and a questionable option at one of the two middle infield positions. Yet you gave them winning 90 games and the division. Why? Cardinals, and Reds are better. cubs were an abysmal road team. Bryant likely will be gone. You put the ‘D’ in delusional if you think no of that matter.
I do watch the games. That’s how I know you have no clue what you are talking about
You suggested they don’t have strike out stuff but the fact of the matter as a rotation they are among the best. Darvish is near the top of the entire mlb.
I said the the cubs starters paint the edges. The problems with walks and the ensuing HRs this approach causes when they get behind in the count has been well known. If you’ve watched Lester, Quintana or Chattwood pitch you would know this. Pay better attention and THINK about the game instead listening to the boring announcers or checking your i(diot)phone.
I know. I hate facts when they completely contradict me too
ChiSoxCity thinks you should throw the ball down the middle and let the other team hit a Homerun. Chicks dig the long ball. ChiSox continuously top 3 worst commenter. He does not use facts only believes in what is in his troll heart.
Sp who got at least 486 outs in the mlb last year, actual starters
Kyle Hendricks ranked 4th in mlb bb/9
Jose Quintana ranked 24th
Jon Lester ranked 35th
Yu Darvish 40th
White Sox
Ivan Nova 19th
Giolito 42nd
Lopez 49th
Now if you want to say their bullpen walked a lot I’d agree
You are hands down, the least objective, most dishonest commenter in MLBTR.
Would be interesting to see what offers are for KB or Contreras . It would have to be a stud leadoff man and 1-2 type ace or no thanks . See what Q would bring ? Need to fill bullpen with quality arms and a second baseman.
It’s interesting that the writer didn’t mention that. Seems pretty clear that a viable, young starter would be one of the players Theo would target.
You’re not getting a “viable young” starter for Bryant. A few prospects maybe, but quality young mlb pitching is in short supply league wide, and Bryant is just a rental.
Two years is not a rental.
Mets would absolutely trade Thor or Stroman for 2 years of Bryant. It would be a no-brainer.
It is if you’re asking for quality young MLB ready pitchers. It ain’t happening fellas. No GM is going to move a good young pitcher for a guy headed to free agency in a few years, and due a mega contract. Like I said, a pitching prospect or two might be doable, but you’re looking at a few more years of development (maybe four years in the cubs system) before they’re ready. Which doesn’t help the cubs contend right now. That’s why the cubs are looking to move half the roster if they can get quality players in return. Baez would get them a haul, but he’s the face and core of your franchise. Contreras would get them a couple back-end MLB ready starters. Beats the alternative though. Quintana and Lester will only get worse. Darvish is a health risk, but looks poised to give them quality innings. The cubs could turn things around relatively quickly if they get bold and creative (not Theo’s MO). So, the cubs are stuck right where they were last year, only a little worse. 75 games if everyone stays healthy and they find an everyday CF or RF who can hit.
Feel better?
Nope.
You’re telling me the Cubs should trade Willson Contreras for a couple back end starters? Are you thick?
And let’s put some money on your Cubs win prediction. I’ll even give you 10 games.
Hell I hope the Braves would toss y’all Kyle Wright and Austin Riley for kris Bryant. I think that’s a pretty fair start. I’ve read on some cubs fan sites most ppl seem pretty sick of Almora. If ender was of any interest I’m sure he could be made available as well.
Kyle Wright was pretty bad last year no matter where he pitched. I sure hope he isn’t a center piece of trade. I’d be all for Riley as a start.
Only if you throw in Pache.
I wouldnt mind Ian Anderson, Wright, Riley, waters
As soon as I read Gordon Wittenmeyer as the source, I stopped reading. The guy is a has been that’s now resorting to trolling to remain relevant. No thank you, saving myself 5 mins by not reading any of this and I recommend you do the same. You’re not learning anything otherwise.
2 years of control is no a rental. A team that feels they are missing a piece would most definitely trade A level pitching prospects for Bryant. Don’t forget he has won a championship. A team like the Braves wouldn’t be scared to pull the trigger imo.
The problem is that they want to compete now, so getting prospects may not necessarily help them this year. The only Bryant trades that make sense are the ones that bring back a quality MLB ready arm. I wouldn’t mind taking a chance on Max Fried from Atlanta. I have been saying for 2 years that Thor would be a perfect fit for the Cubs as well. If Cubs offer Bryant to either one of those teams, the deal is done and probably with a couple of prospects as well. I honestly believe one of those deals would have already happened if it wasn’t for Bryant’s grievance case.
The term prospect is subjective as well. It doesn’t have to be a minor league player. Victor Robles has two cups of coffee prior to his rookie season last year. He would still have been considered a prospect at the beginning of last season. Heck maybe even going into your sophomore campaign you can still use the term. There are guys that are in triple A/had some innings at the big league level that can help from a pitching standpoint. That is the biggest need on the team. Nothing says they can’t sign free agents after shedding 18 million in salary either. I don’t see replacing Bryant offensively, but they can still add a bat.
it was the best of times;
it was the worst of times
If Chatwood is in the rotation I’m becoming a Marlins fan.
This just proves you’re not a true fan of the cubs. And chatwood did great at a spot starter and long reliever
Chattwood is a 3 innings guy at best, which makes him better suited for relief work. He’s Mike Montgomery.
ChiSoxCity is the biggest Cub follower! He watches all the Cubs games and comments on every Cub post. You should ask for his opinion more. He is always so well informed. Or something like that.
That rotation wont strike fear in any team. This team is just lucky that won that fluke WS… that should hold their fans over for the next 100 years.
100 years? Good lord, at least try and come up with some new material. Your Giants choked that NLCS away in ’16 and you’re still not over it.
Frisco is right, and your comebacks are lame. A cubs fan has to have a lot of nerve talking crap about the Giants.
Kinda like a Sux fan talking crap about the Cubs. And hey, how bout instead of “comebacks”, you just go away?
You have the worst case of “little brother syndrome” I’ve ever seen. I mean it’s typical with Sox fans considering how inferior they are to the Cubs in every way, but you take it to a new level.
This article will be rendered pointless in a month unless Epstein lied to the fans, because this current rotation sucks. The idea of Chatwood or Aldzolay taking a rotation spot is giving up and starting the rebuild. I have watched the Aldzolay kid in the minors and his brief time in the bigs. He is almost always lights out for a couple of innings then falls apart. He would be dominant as a reliever, so that is the most obvious decision ever. With both Chatwood and Aldzolay in the pen, it gives them tremendous depth and 2 emergency starters in case of injuries.
The cubs have been pretty darn lucky to have 5 legitimate sp for the last 5 years. Very few teams had that luxury. I’d be all for chatwood if they can sign shogo and a bullpen arm or two. And happ needs to get everyday playing time.
Totally agree with you on Shogo and Happ. Happ was totally mismanaged by Maddon and still has a chance to be a star in MLB. I think the bullpen already looks pretty good and if they go and sign Will Harris that would be doable for me. Hopefully, Morrow will come back strong
Im112 that is a good point. With the exception of Darvish they have been very healthy in the rotation. It makes a huge difference.
I like Happ, but he hasn’t shortened his swing to improve his contact rate in what, 5 years with the team? He will never be a star player. I’d rather play him in LF than Schwarber though.
Does anyone think that Kimbrel would be asked about? That would clear a lot of $ as well, but they need many arms in the pen. I can see a couple teams potentially being interested. But, it would be a pure salary dump.
Seriously?
Schwarber to Oakland for Mengden
Cubs rebuild is coming soon. No money thanks to theos continuous trend of bad free agent spending. 1 World Series out of that group is disappointing. Even more disappointed in the cubs trading core guys vs resigning them. While this hasn’t happened yet it appears it will.
2020 trade deadline maybe. Epstein should resign too. Completely inept roster moves since 2015.
Why does this article exist. Let’s look at the cubs’ rotation? This is MLB trade rumors.
The Cubs will have competition for the rotation in the spring. If they have 5 decent guys other than Quintana, they can trade near the end of ST.
By next August,,,,,Jon Lester will be a Cubs LH relief 9th inning pitcher.!
Who would have thought Darvish will be our Opening Day pitcher in 2020 !
Cubs have the 2020 NL Central…….relax….have a sandwich…….Ross got this !
Brailyn Marquez is a dominant left hander who will in the rotation in 2 year tops! People seem to forget about our minor leagues. I saw Marquez here in South Bend guy throws gas. Takes a bit for pitchers to become major league ready.
Hmmm, Tijuan Walker seems like a good flier for the Cubs. I would also trade for Matt Boyd. Call me crazy, but Boyd reminds me of Scherzer when he was coming through the Tigers system. High Ks but couldn’t quite put it all together, then BOOM. Boyd cant be too expensive right now I wouldn’t think. Im certainly crazy though because I am also drawing parallels between JD Martinez and Nick Castellanos.
The Cubs need to add some arms though. These internal options that are being discussed are fine for depth, but they can’t be the end all. This is an older rotation and will certainly deal with a few injuries this year.