(670 The Score) Last spring, the Cubs entered the regular season with no question that veteran Craig Kimbrel would serve as their closer. This time around, the circumstances are different.
The Cubs traded Kimbrel to the White Sox before the MLB trade deadline last July and have yet to solidify their closer position for 2022. Right-hander Codi Heuer, who was acquired from the White Sox in the deal for Kimbrel, underwent Tommy John surgery earlier in March and will miss the entire season. It leaves the Cubs searching for their closer.
Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy sees several different options competing for the ninth-inning role, as he told the Mully & Haugh Show on Tuesday. A leading candidate might be 36-year-old David Robertson, who has 137 career saves over 13 MLB seasons, but Chris Martin and Rowan Wick are also in the mix.
“With his experience, what he’s done in the game and his history in that role, for sure, I think he’s comfortable in that role,” Hottovy said. “There’s a lot of comfort knowing that you have a guy like him out there in the back end of the game.
“Chris Martin, another one we added, had a terrific, terrific postseason. Really pitched some big innings. Veteran guy that’s been around. Kind of just has a slow heartbeat that you can just feel the calmness when he’s out there. He’s another guy you feel like you can rely on in the back end of a game.
“I’m excited to see Wick. … He’s looked great.”
Hottovy also pointed to right-handers Manny Rodriguez and Scott Effross as relievers in consideration to pitch key innings late in games. He sees the Cubs’ relief core as transformed from after the trade deadline last season.
“It has really completely reshaped the vision of what our bullpen looks like, and we still have some young guys coming that have a lot to prove and are hungry,” Hottovy said.
“It will be fun to watch them all compete here over the next two weeks.”