Nov. 26--While the Cubs sort out their free-agent starting pitching options, they continue to add depth in the bullpen.
The latter could be more essential as they approach the Dec. 2 deadline for tendering contracts to all remaining unsigned players.
The latest bullpen addition is left-hander Rex Brothers, who hails from the same Murfreesboro, Tenn., hometown as marquee free agent David Price.
But the Cubs are banking that Brothers, 27, who was acquired from the Rockies for minor-league pitcher Wander Cabrera, can curb his control problems while maintaining his high strikeout rate.
Brothers has struck out 278 batters in 242 1/3 innings covering the last five seasons but has walked 140. Brothers' best season was in 2013, when he posted a 1.74 ERA with 19 saves in 72 appearances. But the following season, Brothers walked 39 while allowing 65 hits in 56 1/3 innings.
Brothers is the fifth reliever the Cubs have acquired this month even though their main priority is starting pitching. But six of the Cubs' eight arbitration-eligible players are relievers.
That includes left-hander Travis Wood, who said in September that he planned to train this offseason as a starting pitcher but posted a 2.95 ERA in 45 relief appearances after being removed from the rotation in mid-May.
According to MLBTradeRumors.com, Wood is projected to receive $6.4 million -- a steep salary for a reliever who isn't a closer.
The other Cubs' arbitration-eligible relievers (and their projected 2016 salaries) are set-up man Pedro Strop ($4.7 million), closer Hector Rondon ($3.6 million), Ryan Cook ($1.4 million), Clayton Richard ($1.1 million) and Justin Grimm ($1 million).
Andury Acevedo, Jack Leathersich, Spencer Patton, Cook and Brothers are the five relievers coming aboard in November. The additions of Leathersich (who won't be available until the second half because of arm surgery) and Brothers address a left-hander need that wasn't filled last offseason until since-departed Phil Coke was signed March 5.
Stockpiling relievers also gives the Cubs flexibility in the event they pursue a starting pitcher through a trade. The Cubs are keeping their options open as the free agent pitching market is expected to start taking shape next week leading up to the baseball's winter meetings in Nashville on Dec. 7-10.
The Cubs' 40-man roster is at 38. Cabrera, 18, was 4-3 with a 2.34 ERA in 14 appearances with the Cubs Dominican Summer League team.
Clubhouse on target: The expanded Cubs clubhouse remains on target for opening day, while several other parts of the Wrigley Field renovation project will be ongoing through most or all of 2016.
The Cubs released some new renderings of the project Tuesday, including one of the six-story building on the triangle area bordering Clark Street on the west side of Wrigley.
The building will house the Cubs administrative offices, with retail on the bottom floor. The adjacent plaza will feature a large video screen, and the Cubs hope to use it for live music on occasion, a source said. The offices aren't expected to be finished until after the season, and the Cubs will not open the new Western gate entrance in 2016.
New clubs for season and premium ticket holders will be ready, including one behind the Wrigley marquee, giving guests an enclosed view of the corner of Clark and Addison streets. The front of Wrigley already is being gutted, and the iconic marquee has been removed and will be restored. The most important addition for 2016 may be the 30,0000-square foot home clubhouse, which is being built underground beneath the plaza. The Cubs said it will be the second biggest in the majors, and it's already part of their presentation to prospective free agents.
"We still have a lot of selling points about issues that might not be real easily apparent to players, like the new clubhouse we have debuting and some of our future plans," President Theo Epstein said.
Construction will be ongoing this winter and no delays are expected.
mgonzales@tribpub.com
