With the Cubs paying Jason Motte $4.5 million to be a middle reliever (and insurance if Rondon and Strop go down as closers), there is going to be some issues with the final 25 man roster.
New manager Joe Maddon likes the idea of platoons and match ups. Since he will have a LF field platoon of Coghlan and Lake since they traded Ruggiano (also, pending an upgrade acquisition) and the possibility to have a CF platoon with Alcantara, and an open second base situation if Baez struggles, and maybe a Valbuena-Olt 3B combo until Bryant is promoted, the Cubs will probably only have 11 pitchers on the staff (6 bullpen arms).
OF: Coghlan, Lake, Alcantara, Soler, Sweeney
IN: Valbuena, Olt, Castro, Baez, La Stella, Watkins, Rizzo
C: Montero, Castillo
SP: Lester, Hammel, Arrieta, Hendricks, Wada
RP: Rondon, Strop, Motte, Ramirez, Grimm, Ortiz
The odd men out on the pitching staff:
SP: T. Wood, Turner, Doubront, E. Jackson, Straily
RP: Jokisch, Beeler, Parker, Roach, Rosscup, Schlitter
The most trade value would be in T. Wood. There has also been bad contract swap reports for E. Jackson. Parker or Rosscup could provide limited prospect returns in trade.
Again, the bullpen was not the problem in the 2014 club. The Cubs still need to upgrade most position players with starting caliber, professional hitters. As such, players such as Sweeney, Olt, Watkins, LaStella are potentially on the bubble in making the squad after spring training if the Cubs can acquire a starting position player of note.
