Cubs Free Agent Target: Andrew Kittredge |
Jed Hoyer is far from perfect, but you have to give the man some credit for what he has been able to do since becoming the Cubs GM. Sure, fans would've loved to win more during his time, but at the very least, he has set this organization up for long-term success whether he is around to see it or not.
For him to have any hopes of getting an extension beyond this season, the Cubs need to win this season, and for that to happen, Hoyer will play a massive role in building a team capable of winning. Watching them pull the trigger on Kyle Tucker was a step in the right direction, indicating that Hoyer is willing to take some risks this season to win. However, one move isn't going to take this team to the next level, as the Cubs need to make plenty of moves to get the job done. Adding Matthew Boyd gave the Cubs the starter they wanted to add, but if you ask Hoyer, they would like to add at least one more starter, which is where Roki Sasaki and potential trades come into play. Apart from adding another starter, the Cubs bullpen has been an issue for the past three seasons, and all things considered, it has been Hoyer's downfall the past few seasons. He knew going into the year that the bullpen had to be fixed for the Cubs to have a chance, and after trading for Eli Morgan and signing Caleb Thielbar, the Cubs are making strides to improve their team's weak link. Both of those moves are going to make the bullpen better, but there is more work that needs to be done. If you ask most fans, they will tell you that this team needs to get a closer this offseason. Tanner Scott is the biggest name on the free agent list regarding closers, but it seems highly unlikely that Hoyer would spend that kind of money for a closer. That means it could be a closer-by-committee situation this season until someone takes the job and runs with it, but Porter Hodge and Ben Brown could be great options. If that is the Cub's plan in the future, why not address other areas of the bullpen, which could be the setup man role? Any time a team blows 27 saves and 41 games in total, it's more than just the closer role that needs an overhaul. It's the entire back end of the bullpen, which includes the arms to get the ball to the ninth inning. Andrew Kittredge is still a free agent, and when you look at the season he had in St. Louis last season, he would be the perfect addition to the back end of the Cubs pen. Kirby Yates would be the perfect option for the Cubs on a one-year deal, but for whatever reason, the Cubs front office has a hard time spending the kind of money for lockdown arms. Although Kittredge is 34 years old and will be 35 next season, he has proven time and again to be a reliable option and is coming off the best season of his career. After spending his first seven seasons as part of the Rays organization, Kittredge landed in St. Louis for the 2024 season and instantly became one of the Cardinals' most trusted arms. Paired with Ryan Helsley in the back of the pen, Kittredge and Helsley formed one of the best late-inning duos in the game, even if it didn't always seem that way. Across 74 games last season, Kittredge gave the Cardinals 70 innings of work and was one of the busiest yet most consistent arms. In those games, he posted a 5-5 overall record to go with a 2.80 ERA, showing you the amount of work he has put in. While the 1-8 in save situations is a concern, his 37 holds are what stands out the most of all National League relievers. Winning games isn't all about having a lockdown closer. It's also about having pitchers who can hold the lead. The Cubs started to see that late in the regular season last season, but having a guy like Kittredge take over the eighth inning would drastically help everyone involved. Even if he doesn't pitch at the level he showed last season again, his career track should indicate that he can be trusted no matter what. Kittredge has posted a 23-12 record with a 3.44 ERA in 255 games. Fifteen of those games have come as starts, but for the most part, he has been a reliever, which is what he will continue to be. Adding him would be a massive addition for the Cubs as he would not only come in as the eighth-inning guy and have an established role, but he could essentially be the Mark Leiter Jr for the 2025 Cubs. You saw his importance during his tenure with the team, and the Cubs would love to have another form of him, even if it's a short-term deal.
