The Cubs made a consensus positive signing late yesterday.
The Cubs signed reliever Jose Veras for a two year contract. He will be paid $3.85 million base salary for 2014 with a $150K buyout on
the 2015 $5.5 million option, giving him $4MM guaranteed, according to Jon Heyman of
CBSSports.com. Veras can earn an additional $750K based on games
The 33-year-old Veras posted a 3.02 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 with a
41.8 percent ground-ball rate in 62 2/3 innings between the Astros and
Tigers, collecting a career-high 21 saves along the way.
Veras has pitched 8 years in the majors, and the Cubs will be his 8th team. For his career, he has gone 19-22, 3.84 ERA, 1.310 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 2.00 K/BB ratio, and 26 saves in 133 GF. His career WAR is only 4.0. Based on his average WAR, the Cubs slightly overpaid for his journeyman services.
But this does speak to the Cubs bullpen issues, much was to the team's own making.
In 2012, the Cubs signed Japanese pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa to a $9.5 million, two year contract with a $5.5 million option, to be the Cubs closer. Fujikawa pitched in 12 games for the Cubs in 2013, going 1-1, 5. 25 ERA, 2 saves in 12 IP, 1.083 WHIP with a negative 0.2 WAR before he got hurt.
So the signing of Veras to be the closer signals that Fujikawa's injury is more severe and that he is no longer in the Cubs closer plans. It also shows that the pattern of signing pitchers, some with existing arm issues, continues to haunt the Cubs.
Just recently we had the Cubs 2014 bullpen as:
Closer: Fujikawa, coming off his own lost season due to injury.
Set-Up: Strop, who some believe could be the heir apparent closer.
8th: Vizcaino, if he is truly healthy.
LHP: Russell, who was overworked last season
LHP: Wright, who is a true LOOGY.
RHP: Parker, who fell into a long reliever by default last season.
Long/Spot Starter: Villaneuva, who could get a shot at the 5th starter role this spring.
Now, if we use just healthy players, and the fact it looks like Villaneuva will get a chance to be the 5th starter because of the Cub inactivity on that front and the persistent rumors that Samardzija will be traded, the 2014 bullpen will probably look close to this:
Closer: Veras
Set-Up: Strop
8th: Parker
LHP: Russell, unless he is traded in a package deal
LHP: Wright
RHP: Cabrera
Long/Spot Starter: Raley or Grimm
Starters if Samardzija is traded would be E. Jackson, T. Wood, Arrieta, Rusin, and Villaneuva.
