While one of the strengths of the Cubs heading into the 2023 season is the team’s pitching depth the front office would prefer to add one more reliever, specifically a left-handed one to compete for a bullpen spot on the Opening Day roster. Jed Hoyer spoke with reporters on Thursday and he pretty much hinted that the Cubs will be bringing in a reliever into camp soon.
The Cubs have Brandon Hughes as their only left-handed pitcher that’s a lock to make the team out of spring training and that’s why the team hasn’t stopped looking for other options from the left side.
Left-hander Anthony Kay, who was picked up from the Toronto Blue Jays this past offseason, is another guy competing for a bullpen role in spring training.
So, Hoyer says he wouldn’t be shocked if another pitcher joined the team this month and we already know who that could be. Back in February, the Cubs were one of several teams scouting former closer Zack Britton, who threw down in Florida.
However, Britton isn’t the only left-handed reliever still available in the free agent market. Will Smith and Brad Hand are still unsigned as well.
Yet, it does seem like Britton may be the Cubs’ top choice at this point. Britton had Tommy John surgery in 2021, tried to come back at the end of 2022 with the New York Yankees, but he only pitched in three games before he was shut down again.
It’s a low-risk move for the Cubs if they do end up signing Britton. It’ll be a minor-league deal and even if he’s not ready by Opening Day, they can keep him around and hopefully bring him up early in the season.
Britton, who turned 35-years-old last December, could also be a potential option at closer. The lefty has 154 career saves, although the bulk of them came in the mid-2010s with the Baltimore Orioles. Still, before his bad run with injuries in the past couple of years, Britton remained a dominant reliever in New York, where he continued to be a ground ball machine on the mound.
I’m all for the Cubs getting Britton and seeing if he can bounce back this year. That being said, if it turns out to be Smith or Hand, that’d be good, too. Nothing wrong with adding depth in a needed area.
A few other lefties who are in camp for the Cubs are former first-round pick Brendon Little, veteran Roenis Elías, Bailey Horn, Ryan Borucki and Eric Stout along with Anthony Kay.
