I wrote previously that building a bullpen will be a challenge this offseason for the Chicago Cubs. Given what we’ve heard from the front office since the season ended so far, it sounds like the team will not be spending much in free agency as it prepares for 2020.
Regardless, the team will have to address the bullpen this offseason. Despite the bad press the bullpen received throughout the year, it was actually a strength overall in 2019, as the team’s 3.98 relief ERA was good for eighth in Major League Baseball. Yet the bullpen is a huge question mark this offseason because four of the most important pieces from 2019 are free agents: Pedro Strop, Steve Cishek, Brandon Kintzler, and David Phelps.