Chicago Cubs: How to utilize a rejuvenated Tyler Chatwood

The Chicago Cubs pitching rotation was set before spring training started. Here’s how the team could use Tyler Chatwood if he finds success in 2019.

Before pitchers and catchers even reported, the Chicago Cubs‘ Opening Day roster was nearly finalized. There’s likely one spot open on the position player side, and two spots open in the back end of the Cubs’ bullpen.

One year ago, fans would’ve been shocked to hear that Tyler Chatwood was one of a handful of players competing for a final spot among Cub relievers in 2019, but following a miserable debut season on the North Side, he has much to prove.

After signing a three-year, $38 million contract in the 2017-18 offseason, Chatwood wasn’t even good enough to keep his spot in the rotation. By August, Chatwood, his 5.30 ERA, and his league-worst 19.6 percent walk rate had moved to the back of the bullpen. He only pitched five times after July 26th.

At the time of his signing, Chatwood was hailed as a prime change-of-scenery candidate. Finally exiting Coors Field would surely bring him more success, especially given the 2.58 road ERA that he compiled in 153.1 innings outside of Colorado during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

The Cubs weren’t expecting Cy Young-caliber results from Chatwood, but his abysmal 2018 performance was shocking. His lack of control had him in trouble throughout his starts. The team never knew if he’d even be able to make it out of the second or third inning, let alone give them a quality start.

With Chatwood’s first season at Wrigley in the rearview mirror, he had an offseason to not only tinker with is pitching, but also clear his head.

Some time off looks like it’s done the 29-year-old righty some good – so far this spring, it appears that Chatwood has gotten back on track.

Pitch count data isn’t always accurate in spring training, so we can’t see how Chatwood has fared pitch by pitch, but overall, his results have been much better.

In eight innings, Chatwood has posted a 2.25 ERA. More importantly, he’s struck out 5 batters and walked just one.

Yes, you did read that right. In eight innings on the mound, Chatwood has walked only one batter.

We may be talking about a small sample size in exhibition games that don’t count, but this is a very encouraging sign. Chatwood’s contract appeared to be a total waste of money, but his performance this spring is showing signs of life.

Let’s assume that Chatwood has fixed a lingering issue and will be a viable starter. That leaves the Cubs in an interesting position. The team’s pitching rotation is set, so what’s the best way to utilize a rejuvenated Chatwood?

The team has three options. First, they could go to a six-man starting rotation. Second, they could use Chatwood in the swingman role that Mike Montgomery has filled the last two seasons. Third, the Cubs could look to trade him.

Of the three options, the one that makes the most sense seems to be the second. If Chatwood has enough control to limit the free passes he issues opposing teams, he could step into the all-important swingman role in which Montgomery has excelled.

Sliding Chatwood into this role would give the Cubs the flexibility to rest starters when needed. Keeping the starting rotation fresh should help to prevent injury and keep them well rested for a playoff run late in the year.

In this swingman role, Chatwood would also be a critical piece for the days when the Cubs starters just aren’t pitching well. If the Cubs get behind early and a game gets out of hand, Chatwood’s ability to throw five or six innings out of the ‘pen will be invaluable in keeping the rest of the relievers fresh.

Perhaps the most important part of Chatwood filling this role is that it keeps Mike Montgomery in the bullpen as a full-time relief pitcher.

Montgomery has filled a huge role the last two years with his flexibility to move to the rotation when needed, but in 2019, the Cubs will be best suited to keep him in the bullpen.

With the departure of Justin Wilson in free agency, the only other lefty relief options currently on the 40-man roster are Randy Rosario, Xavier Cedeno, Brian Duensing, Kyle Ryan, and Justin Steele – a group that’s far from inspiring. Montgomery is the best southpaw in the bullpen, and the Cubs will need to keep him there.

It’s not a sure thing that Chatwood will be able to carry over his promising spring training performance to the regular season, but if he can, he gives the Cubs both vitally important rotation depth and a multi-inning relief pitcher.

His first year in Chicago was a disaster, but Chatwood can capitalize on a second chance in 2019 and be a key piece of a Cubs team looking to reclaim the division title.