Chicago Cubs: A perfect offseason blueprint to win in 2019
Step One: Figure out what to do with Tyler Chatwood and Yu Darvish
Before we even think about thinking about the Cubs signing a big free agent, they need to clean up their past free agency mistakes.
That begins with Tyler Chatwood. Signed to a three-year deal last offseason, Chatwood’s 2018 season was nothing short of a disaster. The veteran righty walked more batters than he struck out, and was promptly out of the rotation by August.
A subpar $20-million long reliever is the last thing that the Cubs need in 2019. Releasing Chatwood isn’t an option, but if the Cubs find anything even close to a reasonable trade, they need to jump. Even if it means parting with a mid-tier prospect, Chatwood needs to go.
Next, the Cubs have to have a clear plan of action for Yu Darvish. Darvish lasted less than two months this season, and didn’t really do much of anything during his time on the mound.
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However, Darvish is a former All-Star, and certainly hasn’t completely lost his past ace form. The Cubs can’t eat Darvish’s $100-million dollar contract, and they probably shouldn’t anyways. Regardless of what the fans think, the Cubs need a plan for Yu.
Assuming that he’s going to be good-to-go for Spring Training, the Cubs need to find a set place for Darvish. Is it in the rotation? Probably. Maybe the Cubs decide to make him a super-reliever. As a high-strikeout pitcher with an arsenal of plus pitches, maybe the Cubs would be smart to think outside the box with Darvish.
Whether its keep both, trade both, or change the roles of both, the Cubs need a plan. The management of both Chatwood and Darvish in 2018 was a pure atrocity, and the Cubs can’t afford to endure the same in 2019.