AP Photo/Paul Beaty

The Rundown: Grading Cubs Secondary Pitchers, Free Agent Bargain Bin Contains Features Familiar Faces, 2021 Shortstop Free Agent Class is Ridiculously Good

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterNovember 5, 2020

I’ve been handing out grades to the regular players since the season ended, but today I’ll do secondary starters and middle relievers, then finish off with reserve hitters tomorrow.

  1. Tyler Chatwood – He’s gone for now, though he could conceivably come back on smaller deal. The veteran right-hander had 25 strikeouts in 18.2 innings and his 5.30 ERA was offset nicely by a 3.55 FIP. Final Grade: Incomplete
  2. José Quintana – No one will fault you if you now curse the trade that brought Quintana over from the White Sox, as he never really made the team any better or any worse while pitching for the North Siders. The middling lefty only pitched 10 innings this year, so he lucks out a little since the grade is for 2020 only. Final Grade: Incomplete
  3. Adbert Alzolay – I believe he is an ace in the making. A nasty new slider brought out the best in Alzolay, as he struck out 15 batters in nine innings over his final two starts while allowing just one earned run each time out. He could be a fantastic addition to the bullpen, but I’d rather see him in the rotation. Final Grade: B+
  4. Ryan Tepera: The strikeout numbers (13.72 K/9) suggest he can be elite. He also walked 12 batters in 20.1 innings, which will need to come down, and his history of work suggests it will. Final Grade: B
  5. Rowan Wick: The 27-year-old righty has all the makings of a future closer and he really solidified the back end of the bullpen before getting injured. With 20 punchouts in 17.1 innings against six walks, a 2.67 FIP, 145 ERA+, and a perfect 4-for-4 in save chances, imagine what his numbers might look like over a full season. Final Grade: A
  6. Kyle Ryan: Expectations were high, but Ryan absolutely bombed. The first year arb-eligible lefty could be non-tendered. A 7.09 FIP won’t help his chances to stick. Final Grade: F
  7. Duane Underwood Jr. – The 26-year-old righty looks menacing at times but just can’t seem to ever put it all together. While his overall numbers don’t look great, the underlying stats are solid (11.75 K/9 rate, 2.6 BB/9 rate), and a hefty .408 BABIP suggests he pitched through some bad luck. He has two years of team control left and could have an outstanding 2021. Final Grade: C+
  8. Daniel Winkler – The Effingham, IL native was mostly solid, if wholly unspectacular, but his 5.32 FIP and impossibly low .186 BABIP suggests his 2.95 ERA was a complete mirage. Final Grade: C+
  9. Jason Adam – I love the 95 mph fastball and the unheralded Adam offers an impressive secondary arsenal (curve, slider, changeup) with elite spin rate to boot. He does follow a similar tendency among his fellow relievers with high strikeout, spin, and walk rates. Final Grade: B+

Cubs News & Notes

Odds & Sods

Jim Frey and Tony La Russa were a marketing dream back in 1986.

Thursday Stove

Members of Boston’s front office reportedly traveled to Puerto Rico to meet with Álex Cora about the team’s managerial opening. Cora managed the Red Sox before being suspended by MLB last winter.

Bauer will reject the Reds’ qualifying offer and enter free agency.

Jon Heyman predicts Bauer will sign with the Giants for $150 million over five years.

The Cy Young finalist could also be a fit for either New York team if he doesn’t re-sign with Cincinnati.

Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has dropped 32 pounds since the start of the 2020 season.

The Sports Illustrated baseball writers offered up their offseason hot takes with trade rumors that include Lindor going to the Yankees for Gleyber Torres and Clint Frazier, and Nolan Arenado getting traded to the White Sox.

It’s only been about 10 months since New York beat writers designated Torres as a once-in-a-generation player.

The league and the MLBPA are nearing a decision on Justin Turner, who violated COVID-19 protocols while celebrating the Dodgers World Series victory over the Rays on field with his teammates and their family members.

Jerry Reinsdorf was one of eight league owners to vote against the purchase of the Mets by Steve Cohen.

Extra Innings

I have been stuck in a 1980’s time warp lately. I even watched The Karate Kid last night.

Apropos of Nothing

Did anybody else ever do this as a kid?

My friend Terry would stand in my backyard and throw a rubber ball over the roof of my parents’ house, while I tried to hit it with a rock from the front yard while it came sailing over. We’d also throw rocks at bats to watch them dive bomb after them. Fun times.

On Deck

Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins could be the most underrated film of the 80’s. I’m going to watch it tonight, and I’m still shocked the adventure didn’t continue.

They Said It

  • “I have no doubt that [Alzolay] can contribute to our team next year. In what role, I don’t know yet. But I think roles are a little bit more fluid in baseball now pitching-wise. It could be as a reliever, starter, multi-inning reliever — who knows. But he’s gonna have an impact on our team. I have no doubt about that.” – Jed Hoyer

Thursday Walk Up Song

Take it On the Run by REO Speedwagon – I’m kinda hooked on the the Netflix series Cobra Kai. I disliked it a great deal at the start, but the Johnny Lawrence character arc is starting to fascinate me.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterNovember 5, 2020
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