Five Players Chicago Cubs Should Get To Be Real Contenders

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Addison Reed, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks

The Cubs have a shaky situation at closer. Hector Rondon has not been too bad (3-0, 3.09 ERA), and he has ten saves, but he also has three blown saves. He’s been trending downward, and over the weekend manager Joe Maddon took him out of the closer’s role.

The Cubs also have Pedro Strop and Jason Motte on the roster who may be closers, but Strop hasn’t had enough time as a closer, and Motte has 42 of his 54 career saves in one season (2012).

Reed would add depth at the back of the bullpen. Having a number of closers at the end would not be bad. It would shorten the game for the starters.

That strategy worked very well for the Kansas City Royals last season. The starters needed to just go six innings, and Aaron Crow, Wade Davis and Greg Holland would shut the door.

Reed is struggling a bit with the Diamondbacks this season, but perhaps a move to a contending team would rejuvenate him. At any rate, with Rondon, Strop and Motte in the mix with him, that would solidify the bullpen.

Next: Scott Kazmir