The Tribune believes the Cubs have settled their bullpen issues.
With the promotion of lefty Phil Coke, his $2.25 million contract was added to the 40-man roster was a foregone conclusion, especially have he had not allowed a run in 9 IP. Coke, 32, will be the only lefty reliever in the pen. That will lessen some of the options for manager Joe Maddon.
The 2015 bullpen is pretty much the same as last seasons, except with the addition of veterans Coke and former Cardinal Jason Motte. Motte has had a weak spring, so the Cubs are still looking at him as potential "closer insurance."
Closer: Hector Rondon
Set Up: Pedro Strop
8th Inning: Jason Motte, Neil Ramirez
Long relievers: Justin Grimm, Edwin Jackson
Lefty: Phil Coke
It appears the Cubs will be stuck with Jackson in some role. He did have his best spring outing, a one hit game against the scrub Royals. It was reported that Ricketts had authorized Theo Epstein to get rid of Jackson in trade and eating half the $26 million left on the contract. But there is little to no interest with Jackson for $6.5 million for a marginal fifth starter/long reliever.
Jackson has never been a troublemaker in the clubhouse, but he has never recently been demoted to the pen. He wants to be a starter. He believes he is a starter. Whether he accepts the role is an important aspect of Maddon keeping his first Cub clubhouse in proper balance. We know that during the course of the season pitchers will be get hurt, and the team will need three, four or five additional starters.
A few speculate that Maddon, always looking to find clever tweaks in the game like batting the pitcher in the 8th spot of the lineup, could have a 5.5 man rotation where Travis Wood and Jackson would alternate starts or possibly do "split games" like in minor league squads were two starters pitch half of a game. In theory, a "split game" should give the bullpen a full day's rest every week.
