Five Players Chicago Cubs Should Get To Be Real Contenders

Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Scott Kazmir, LHP, Oakland Athletics

Kazmir may have lost his last four games, but he has a nice 3.14 ERA, and he is mowing down hitters, striking out 61 batters in 63.0 innings pitched.

The Cubs have a need for a lefty. Travis Wood has not been the same since his sparkling 2013 season so he is now in the bullpen. Tsuyoshi Wada is currently the number five starter, but he has been inconsistent.

There has been word about another lefty who could help the Cubs, but more on him later. Kazmir could be a good rental for the Cubs. He will be a free agent at the end of the season, and if he could prove himself on a contending team, he could cash in with another team.

Kazmir, like Jon Lester at the top of the rotation, has playoff experience. He understands what it takes to get to the playoffs, and to make a long playoff run, so he can help the younger Cubs with that.

Kazmir also has experience with Maddon. Maddon is a different type of manager, and Kazmir understands him. Maddon can feel comfortable giving him the ball.

With Kazmir, the back-end of the rotation can be as tough as the front end, making the Cubs’ already good rotation one of the best in baseball.

Next: Aroldis Chapman