Blue Jays: Time to flex some financial muscle to fill out the bullpen

Tyler Chatwood

The Chicago Cubs have had a fairly quiet offseason so far except for a handful of minor league signings. There have been rumors that the Cubs want to reduce payroll even having some suggestions that their All-Star players like Kris Bryant or Willson Contreras could be on the trade block. Could the Jays find value picking up the last year of Tyler Chatwood‘s deal?

Contract: Tyler Chatwood signed a 3-year contract with the Chicago Cubs for 38 million which covers the 2018-2020 seasons. Chatwood is another pitcher that was likely signed as a starter but has not been able to fill that role with any consistency. In 2019 Chatwood was used in a swingman role making 5 starts but working predominantly out of the bullpen. Chatwood has one remaining year on his contract for 13 million which I would say is pretty high for a swingman/ middle reliever.

Analysis: Chatwood had a terrible time in 2018 being able to limit walks. He managed just an 8.25 BB/9 which surely led to his removal from the Cubs starting staff and his eventual role in the BP. In 2019 Chatwood appears to have corrected his control issues and reduced his walk rate by nearly half to 4.34 BB/9. I’m sure that Chatwood could be a good fit in the Blue Jays bullpen but 13 million for a swingman is a lot.

Trade: Blue Jays get RHRP Tyler Chatwood, OF Cole Roederer, RHP Cory Abbott
Cubs get OF Anthony Alford