Inside The Cubs

Chicago Cubs Moving On From Promising Bullpen Piece

The Chicago Cubs will reportedly move on from one of the promising bullpen pieces that they brought in through free agency. With many talented arms in their farm system, they could be looking to bring up more youth instead.
Brad Wakai|
Chicago Cubs Moving On From Promising Bullpen Piece
Chicago Cubs Moving On From Promising Bullpen Piece

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Chicago Cubs

The bullpen for the Chicago Cubs was under a heavy spotlight down the final stretch of the regular season as they struggled to close out games when it mattered most.

Injuries played a big part in the bullpen becoming overworked and forcing the coaching staff to piece together a serviceable unit.

That ultimately didn't come to fruition and was one of the main reasons why the Cubs missed the postseason.

Prior to 2023, Chicago signed promising reliever Michael Fulmer to a one-year, $4 million prove-it deal.

He ended the season on the injured list and it looks like the Cubs will be moving on from the 30-year-old according to Mark Powell of FanSided.

Fulmer came into the MLB as a starting pitcher with the Detroit Tigers. In his first two seasons, he had a record of 21-19 with an ERA of 3.81.

Then injuries bit the right hander including a torn meniscus in 2018 and Tommy John surgery that shut him down for the entire 2019 season.

After 10 disastrous games in 2020 as a starter, Fulmer was moved into the bullpen for the Tigers and has been a relief pitcher ever since.

He was moved from Detroit to the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline in 2022 where he posted a 2-2 record with a 3.70 ERA across 24 1/3 innings pitched.

Chicago felt he could be an addition to their bullpen in 2023, signing him to a relatively cheap contract if he was able to perform.

The Cubs didn't quite get the level of production they were looking for as Fulmer posted an ERA of 4.42 across 57 innings pitched, his highest ERA since moving into the bullpen.

He also was constantly dealing with a forearm strain in his throwing arm, preventing Chicago from utilizing him down the stretch.

Now, it seems like the front office will let him walk in free agency with no intentions of bringing him back.

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Brad Wakai
BRAD WAKAI

Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he did work at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad currently is the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continues to cover Penn State athletics. He is also a contributor at FanSided, writing about the Philadelphia 76ers for The Sixers Sense. Brad is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, discussing topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai

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