Cubs News: 2023 Season Report Cards: Starting Pitchers Part 2 |
Yesterday, we opened the starting pitching portion of our season report cards by talking about the big guns in the rotation. Today, we move to the back end of the rotation as this could be the one area the Cubs look to address in their rotation this offseason.
Finding a No. 4 or No. 5 starter is easy, but finding two guys capable of winning games consistently and eating innings is another, and the Cubs appeared to have two guys like that when the season began. Despite one landing on the IL until late May, both of these guys can be known as the savvy veterans on this staff and are nearing the end of their careers as the Cubs will have to figure out how to address this portion of their rotation.
After signing Smyly to a one-year deal in 2022 with the hopes of flipping him at the deadline, he emerged as one of the team's biggest surprises as he was one of the more consistent starters that season. That put the Cubs in a position to retain him, but after declining his option and letting him hit the open market, many felt his time in Chicago was over. However, that was the plan for this team as declining his option allowed them to bring him back, and they did just that by resigning him to a two-year deal worth around 20 million. Not known as an overpowering guy, Smyly knows who he is as a stater and uses his curveball far more than any other starter. Whether by design or not, Smyly has always relied on that pitch, but, for whatever reason, struggled to command that pitch this season. When that happens, Smyly isn't very good, and you saw that plenty of times this season. Granted, his 11 wins were the second most on the team behind Justin Steele. Smyly also had 11 losses, which is what you would expect from a back of the rotation arm. However, the most significant area of concern has to be the ERA, as Smyly has posted a 4.22 ERA across his career and went on to post an ERA of 5.00. That is following a season where his ERA was around 3.4, so to see him struggle this much was a massive surprise. Season Grade D: When the Cubs elected to bring Smyly back, there were mixed feelings about the deal, but you had to understand the thought process. He was coming off an outstanding season, and when you look at how this team was lining up defensively, it was the perfect situation for Smyly. Across his first 10 starts, Smyly looked just as good as he looked in 2022, and the Cubs loved every second of it. Then came the second half of the season, where he lost the feel for his curveball and started to get hammered every time out, so he was removed from the rotation by late August. Part of that was needing a lefty in the pen, but Smyly had opportunities to pitch his way back into the rotation and never did. Considering he did pitch better in the bullpen, you have to wonder if that is the plan for him in 2024.Drew Smyly
Kyle Hendricks
The lone remaining player from the Cubs World Series Championship team is the Professor Kyle Hendricks. After coming off his worst season as a pro, Hendricks underwent offseason shoulder surgery and was thus placed on the IL to begin the season. Not expected to return until around the all-star break, Hendricks not only shocked the world by coming back two months early but looked like the Hendricks of old most of the season.
The once Ace of the Cubs rotation turns back the clock every time he pitches as he lives on an 87 MPH fastball paired with a lethal 80 MPH change. He thrives off of working the corners and changing the eye levels of hitters and has continued to make life difficult for many hitters, hence the 93-69 career record with a 3.48 ERA.
2023 may not look that great, but Hendricks returned to the Cubs and continued to pitch the way he has his entire career. For the season, Hendricks gave the Cubs 24 starts and nearly 137 innings when many felt he would only make 15 starts. He posted a 6-8 record with a 3.74 ERA, as he was exactly what this team needed late in the season.
Season Grade B: For the most part, Hendricks was solid, but that shouldn't surprise you when you look at his career line. Hendricks may be the most soft-spoken player on this team, but make no mistake about it. He is a leader that a lot of players look up to. In a world where players change teams more frequently than ever before, Hendricks has been the lone constant that has remained on this team since the 2014 season. Now the question is, has Hendricks pitched his last game for the Cubs, or will the Cubs be willing to pick up his team option and restructure it into a cheaper multi-year deal?
