Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Cubs' closer candidates for the 2022 season?
The Cubs have three main closer candidates heading into 2022: Rowan Wick, David Robertson, and Mychal Givens. Wick has been one of the team's better relievers since 2019 but struggles with walks, while Robertson brings 137 career saves and All-Star pedigree. Givens, signed in March 2022, could also see 9th inning work or serve as a key 8th inning setup man.
What did David Robertson accomplish in his career before joining the Cubs?
David Robertson is a 13-season veteran with a career 2.93 ERA and 137 career saves across five different teams. He was an American League All-Star in 2011 and was one of the game's most reliable closers from 2014 to 2016, averaging 37 saves per season. However, he has pitched just 18.2 innings over the last three seasons with an ERA of 5.40 in 2019 and 4.50 in 2021.
How did Jesse Chavez perform for the Atlanta Braves in 2021?
Jesse Chavez posted a 2.14 ERA across 33 innings for the Atlanta Braves in 2021 with a WHIP just over 1.00. He also showed versatility by serving as an opener during the Braves' NLCS series and proved capable of pitching multiple innings per appearance. Chavez was also part of Atlanta's 2021 World Series championship team.
Why is Daniel Norris important to the Cubs' 2022 bullpen?
Daniel Norris is expected to be the only left-handed reliever in the Cubs' bullpen to start the 2022 season, with lefties Justin Steele and Drew Smyly slotted into the starting rotation. He is likely to be used in lefty-on-lefty matchup situations, as he has held left-handed batters to a career .245 batting average across nearly 500 at-bats. His effectiveness against right-handers, however, remains a concern.
How did Keegan Thompson perform as a reliever versus a starter in 2021?
Keegan Thompson was much more effective as a reliever in 2021, posting a 2.43 ERA and a 10.0 K/9 strikeout rate out of the bullpen. As a starter, he struggled significantly with a 5.51 ERA, a 1.89 WHIP, and an 11:14 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Because of that split, the Cubs bullpen appears to be the best fit for Thompson heading into 2022.