Cubbies Keep Busy During the Series

The Chicago Cubs have been keeping busy during the World Series. They’ve been talking with many teams about disgruntled outfielder Milton Bradley. Now they’re close to resigning one of their big bullpen pieces, John Grabow.

Bruce Levin of ESPN Chicago said the two sides are nearing a contract extension. The snag is the number of years, the team is looking for a two-year deal while Grabow’s agent Paul Kinzer wants a vesting option for a third season. The numbers ($6.5 to $7.5 million over two years) sound like they’re a lock thou. There may be incentives included for games finished.

In my opinion its a fairly expensive deal for a marginal lefty reliever. In 2009, he did go 3-0 holding 23 games. Not bad but the troubling stats to me are the amount of base runners.

In 72 and 1/3 innings pitched he walked 40 while striking out only 57 batters. His WHIP stood at 1.41, a number that is fairly high for a guy who has been pretty much a situational lefty. He’s appeared in 75 games, averaging less then an inning per appearance. So yea the base runners are very troubling to me.

With that being said what doesn’t make sense to me is why you’d pay someone like that so much money? The Cubbies are looking ways to cut payroll, so why not wait till free agency and see if there are better alternatives out there.

Grabow can do his job, does it well at times but at almost $4 million a season there might be better out there. Actually, I’m sure there will be.

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Tags: Chicago Cubs, John Grabow, MLB