Keegan Thompson and Adbert Alzolay aren’t part of the competition to be the Cubs’ fifth starter, as manager David Ross told reporters (including Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune) that the two right-handers will be working out of the bullpen. Thompson has pitched as a reliever for 38 of his 61 career games in the majors, with significantly more success out of the pen — the righty has a 1.95 ERA over 73 2/3 bullpen innings, as opposed to a 4.94 ERA over 94 2/3 frames as a starter. Alzolay has started 27 of his 45 career games, but worked exclusively as a reliever in his limited action last year, as Alzolay missed most of 2022 recovering from a shoulder strain.
Thompson also missed close to a month last season due to lower back tightness, so health concerns might have also been some factor in the Cubs’ decision. However, the team might simply be more excited by the idea of what Thompson or Alzolay could deliver as relief pitchers, particularly since the rotation has been bolstered by the addition of Jameson Taillon and the re-signing of Drew Smyly. Chicago hasn’t spent much on the bullpen in recent years, preferring to add veterans on one-year deals (i.e. this winter’s signings of Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger) and seeing what is available in terms of in-house options. Of course, this doesn’t mean that Thompson or Alzolay couldn’t still get at least some usage as a starter in 2023, or that the door is closed on either righty as a potential starting candidate down the road.
More from Wrigleyville….
- Speaking of the starting rotation, Kyle Hendricks will return to his usual spot in the starting five when he is healthy, as the veteran continues to manage a capsular tear in his throwing shoulder. Hendricks told Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times that he is roughly a month behind in his usual offseason training routine, though he will throw off a mound in a loose bullpen session on Friday. This puts Hendricks slightly ahead of his projected rehab schedule, as Hendricks was initially thinking he wouldn’t have any mound work until March 1.
- Contract extensions haven’t been a big part of the Cubs’ business over the last three seasons, as the team tried to squeeze another title out of its 2016 championship core before pivoting into a rebuild. Now that the Cubs are aiming to contend again in 2023, talks have taken place with Nico Hoerner about a possibly long-term deal, though the second baseman didn’t give reporters (such as The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma or MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian) or other reporters any updates about the status of the negotiations. Hoerner doesn’t have any “hard deadline” on getting a deal complete, and that “we’ll just continue to work things through” while he is primarily focusing on his Spring Training prep. As to his future in Chicago, Hoerner said “I love coming to work here every day. There are so many boxes that are checked being a part of this organization. They’ve done nothing but right by me.” Hoerner has two remaining arbitration-eligible years remaining, and he is eligible for free agency in the 2025-26 offseason.
Go Cubs.
Aloha folks, I’d love to see Nico receive an extension! I also hope for the Hendricks from 2020 and before. Not sure if that is possible but wishing he could still be a good back of the rotation starter. Mahalo!
KG, it just feels like from what I’ve been reading over the winter, that an extension for Hoerner will get done before this season begins. The talk from reports I’ve heard on the talk shows, make it seem that these discussions have been going on for awhile now. It’s been awhile since the Cubs have taken that approach, in any meaningful way. All due respects to ….Bote.
There’s really no reason to extend Nico now. Maybe next year when they can buy out his last 2 ARB years but no real hurry to do it now unless it’s a total team friendly deal.
Disagree. This is a very good bet for the Cubs, and his price is likely to go up a lot. It might not turn out that way, but extending him through the next Cubs run is the smarter move.
That is the point…. every sign points to sustained success, meaning the price explodes if he has a year even remotely like last year’s 4.5 WAR. Worth a bet from a big market team team planning to compete soon.
With his injury history it’s just as likely to go down.
Cleaning up the math, Hoerner has 3 years of arb remaining and will be FA after ‘25 season. I expect Happ to become a FA as Cubs have several good OF prospects coming along, but Hoerner definitely needs an extension within the next year.
Premature to do that, let’s see sustained success
That’s just not how this works. He fills a major hole on this infield, and has shown his ability to play at a very high level, while continuing to develop and get better. Lock him up now.
2 years of arbitration. His 2023 salary has already been decided.
Just saw an interview with Rick Sutcliffe on Cubs 360 and he said not only is Ben Brown knocking on the door of the Major Leagues, But that he’s kicking it in. Suts opinion is good enough for me. When and if Hendricks folds, Like I suspect he will, Sounds like Wesneski and Brown should be more than up to the task.
I love Sut, and personally think he should replace J.D. in the booth full-time. His chemistry w/ Boog is great. However… Sut is a total Homer. He’d have you convinced Amaya is the second-coming of Randy Hundley if you asked him. We’ll see if Brown pans out…
Sut has no reason to be a Cubs homer as he’s just an ambassador and advisor in the spring for them. That being said he obviously likes being around the Cubs and as far as Boog and Sut being in the booth for that many games would drive everybody crazy. I’d much rather they signed AJ Pierzynski, He’s much better in the booth IMO.
And absolutely NOBODY will ever confuse Amaya with Randy Hundley. Ever. LMAO
Pierzynski is an ass. Hard pass.
So Sutcliffe has no reason to be a homer, OTHER THAN HES ON THEIR PAYROLL. Thanks for clearing that up.
Sorry uncmike, but I don’t understand what Sutcliff being an ‘ambassador’ would have to do with, whether or not he’s a homer.
Maybe you missed the interviews Sutcliff did last year about Keegan Thompson and Steele. Sut was ready to send both to the HOF.
So exactly What Reason would Sutcliffe have to sing Brown’s praises? Does that promote the Cubs by saying he likes a certain P? And Steele and Thompson are very good and I’ve never heard anybody say anything other than that and certainly nothing about the HOF. So he was right those 2 but he’s a homer on Brown? He’s just giving an opinion which is one I respect, Unlike a lot of people on this site.
I love Sut’s childlike enthusiasm for the Cubs. But he’s always been really high on any Cub prospect or acquisition. I remember when the Cubs traded Josh Donaldson and other prospects for Rich Harden when they were the best team in the NL in 2008. Sut made it out like they were WS bound just by Harden, who was nothing more than another Matt Clement-type. Sut has always thought every move they make was fantastic. He reminds me of Ron Santo & Harry Caray in that regard. Both were the same way. Stoney, Chip Caray & Bob Brenly were far more straight-forward. When the team was bad, they usually straight-up said it. Kasper always played “if I have nothing nice to say, I just say nothing.”
This. Steele was very good, but Sut would have you believe he’s 2016 Jon Lester.
Meh, buyer beware on Brown. I can tell you as a Phillies fan I’ve seen this story before. 2022 was his 5th pro season, 6 if you include 2020. I get he had TJS but I get Will Stewart vibes here.
I really enjoy Sut’s enthusiasm, but he is a huge homer. That said, IMO I love JD. In all my years of following Cubs broadcasts on TV or radio – he is my fav of all time. He just goes about his business without blowing smoke up the listener’s behind. His dry humor and insight are easy to appreciate.
That said, I wish they’d pair Sut and JD together. I really could care less about Boog, and am just so so, about Hughes.
It took me years to get into J.D., but he has a really dry Canadian sense of humor. He really is one of the best, but I feel his chemistry with Len Kasper was far superior. There’s something off with him & Boog. When Sut sits in with him, Sut & Boog’s banter seems to dominate J.D. But I’m biased. I still miss Steve Stone.
I think JD is excellent, one of the best analysts on TV. Boog seems to feel the need to push the conversation with random questions rather than letting the game flow. I like how JD understands some of the new metrics but doesn’t overuse them. But Marquee seems intent in having a rotating cast of 1000s and a 3-man booth. If I was JD, I’d go elsewhere where I was the #1 guy again. Sut doesn’t seem to like the way baseball is played these days and I’m tired of listening to him whine about it. If not JD, I’d much rather listen to Glanville or Dempster than Sutcliffe.
I keep forgetting but they signed Girardi to make it a 3 man booth. I personally enjoy Dempster over JD. I enjoy Sutcliffe but actually feel he is the most brutally honest during games and will openly call out Cubs players for being bad. But I’m thinking it’ll mainly be Boog, JD and Girardi.
Dempster w/ Boog is a great combo too!
Glad to hear that Ross has Thompson working out of the pen. He was downright nasty in that role last season. This is gonna be a very interesting season for this team. Though they’re at least a frontline starter and fixture at third away from being serious contenders, they still may surprise. I think their selling off pieces at the deadline days may be in the rear view mirror.
If the Cubs suffer injuries, I’d be curious if they’d go the Opener route. They have numerous guys that can be nasty for 3-innings a piece.
I’m just kind of curious why Fulmer is taking so long to get signed. They can obviously put guys on the 60 day now so I’m starting to get nervous. What gives Jed? Is this another Correa situation? God I hope not.
Relax. It’s nothing like the Correa situation. This is a guy getting a 1 year deal for 4 million. They’re either taking their time deciding who to put on the 60 day IL or, possible but less likely, a trade might be in the works that would open up a spot. A few teams still need a 2nd baseman.
It’s more likely he just needs a little time to report as he didn’t have time to prearrange anything.
He’s already reported, has a locker with his name on it, and is working out. They’re is no rush to make it “official”.
I guarantee you that if he hasn’t signed a contract he’s not working out, Throwing or doing anything physical I’m pretty sure that would not only violate League rules but the Cubs insurance company would scream bloody murder.
And yet he is, which is why you should calm down.
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2023/02/19/spring-training-miscellany-fulmer-arrives-and-throws-but-isnt-officially-official-yet-rios-rocks-live-batting-practice-more/
For some people it’s natural to insert their foot into their mouth.
Adbert Alzolay should be the closer with Fulmer and Hughes as set-up persons.
If Fulmer could go “all out” and stay healthy, I wonder if he could show flashes of his old self. But yeah, I agree that Azolay’s future is as a Closer, if it’s anything. His chance as a Starter has been gone for a few now.
Love Alzolay as a closer against a righty heavy inning, Hughes getting the nod if you have a tough lefty or two due up in the first four spots in the order.
Alzolay has to prove he can get lefties out before you can lock him in for the 9th but I agree with him potentially being a lock down closer. He has the “stuff” and righties cannot seem to be able to touch him.
I understand that Thompson is great as a reliever, but I think it would still be in CHC’s best interest to at least give him a go at the SP5 spot.
DS830, I think the Cubs are playing the long game with Thompson. I agree he looks like he is someone who can really help the staff, maybe as a full time SP. But the 117 IP last year, were 50% more IP then he pitched- combined in the years 2019 – 2021.
I expect him to throw about 115- 125 this season, with some ‘piggyback’ starts thrown in that number. Ross will be using him in high leverage situations- Ross knows he has a quality guy in Thompson.
Thompson and Steele both need the same 2 things to be 20 game winners. An off speed pitch and good health. Give them those 2 things and look out.
Lol
I agree completely. I get that he was absolutely dominate as a reliever but he was also pretty good as a starter last season aside from his last month where he was suffering from arm fatigue. I think it’s a mistake not to at least give him a look in the spring for the fifth starter and then manage his innings as a reliever when Hendricks comes off the IL.
Brown had no stability in the Philly system. The Cubs pitching lab has str8n him out. At 6’6 he has shown Sut something that has blown him away…perhaps a power pitcher?
If your an old Cub fan you’ll remember Pierzynski as a White Sox catcher plowing into Michael Barrett. There’s no way you could support him being a Cub Ambassador. View:
https://youtu.be/Tivag5pOBhM
What I remember is Barrett blocking the plate and getting his head handed to him which at the time was the way the game was played then and Barrett totally over reacting and jumping on AJ from behind. And that has nothing to do with the fact that Pierzynski always was one of the smartest baseball guys to ever play and knows the game in and out. He’s a very good announcer and if that’s ll you’ve got you’re really reaching. Sutcliffe and Boog were barely tolerable once a week on ESPN but 140 games of that clown show would be nauseating. I love Sut’s opinion but that would be a bit much for me. I love JD but in the Wonderful World of Marquee, Who knows what they think?