The Chicago Cubs are nine days away from opening day when they head down to Arlington Texas to face off against the defending World Series Champion Texas Rangers. While the Rangers have pitching injuries of their own to worry about to start the season with Max Scherzer and Jacob Degrom still on the mend, the Chicago Cubs have their issue with James Taillon who is set to miss the start of the season himself. James Taillon was shut down this spring due to lower back tightness and appears set to miss at least the first start if not more. So who do the Cubs slide into that rotation spot to fill the gap to kick off the season? They have 14 games in the first 17 games of the season so they will need to find a replacement at least to get them halfway into April.
Options:
LHP – Drew Smyly
Smyly appeared in 41 games for the Cubs last season starting 23 games total. He had a record of 11-11, 5.00 ERA over 142.1 innings total. He did strike out 141 batters last year while recording a 1.43 WHIP. The veteran seems to be a logical choice given he’s pitched both out of the bullpen and starting rotation over his time spent with the Cubs. Smyly uses three pitches a Knuckle Curve, a Sinker, and a Cutter.
RHP – Hayden Wesneski
Wesneski appeared in 34 games for the Cubs last year starting 11 games and finishing with a 3-5 record on the year. He pitched in 89.1 innings recording 83 strikeouts, a 4.63 ERA, and a 1.28 WHIP last year. Wesneski has six pitches in his repertoire to use leaning the heaviest on his Sweeper and four-seam fastball these two made up 65% of his pitches thrown last season. He also throws a sinker, changeup, slider, and a cutter. While he does have great runs on his breaking pitches, he failed to find success in the rotation last season.
RHP – Javier Asaad
Asaad appeared in 32 games last season and started 10 of those games for the Cubs. He threw 109.1 innings, and recorded a 5-3, with a 3.05 ERA, 94 strikeouts, and a 1.23 WHIP last year. Asaad depends on six different pitches Sinker, Cutter, Four Seam fastball, Slider, Curveball, and a changeup. Asaad was a solid option all year for the Cubs last year out of the bullpen and spot starts.
My Choice
If I was the Cubs I would leave Smyly in the bullpen as the long reliever as his ERA last year he struggled with allowing runs last year. I think Wesneski is a talented arm and very well could fill in as the right-hand pitcher in the rotation. I think the very best option is to lean on Javier Asaad who was the best of the three last season and in my opinion is the best overall regardless of the group. I think having a second right-hand arm in the rotation would be a good thing rather than going with a fourth lefty in Smyly. Asaad will do well and can easily move back to the bullpen once Taillon returns from his stint on the IL.
