June 01--With two months left before the non-waiver trading deadline, the Chicago Cubs still have plenty of time to assess their needs for the playoff stretch drive.
One potential upgrade could be the addition of a left-handed relief specialist, although manager Joe Maddon stands by Clayton Richard.
Richard was slowed at the start of spring training by knee issues, and he was sick during the first week of the season and has been limited to 16 appearances.
But his inability to solve left-handed batters has been mystifying, as evidenced by his struggles in the eighth inning of a 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Richard entered with a scoreless tie but surrendered consecutive singles to left-handed batters Chase Utley, Corey Seager and Adrian Gonzalez before he was pulled.
"It was the perfect slot for him to attempt to not beat up the rest of your bullpen," Maddon said. "It was a tie game. It couldn't have been lined up any better for him.
"I have a lot of faith of him. We just need to get him more work. But that's the kind of a moment he's here for. It just didn't happen. But I have a lot of confidence in him."
Left-handed hitters are batting .435 (10-for-23) against Richard, who pitched effectively for the Cubs in a variety of roles in 2015.
Maddon said Richard merely needs to get better location, noting that he's induced his share of choppers and balls hit back to him.
The Cubs could aim high and explore deals for Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller of the Yankees. Chapman is a free agent after this season, and Miller is signed through 2018 and was acquired by President Theo Epstein for the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2011 season.
The price for either pitcher would be high, given their value, and the Yankees' need to acquire young talent to eventually supplant a roster full of aging players.
Or the Cubs could wait for Richard to change his fortunes while examining the ascent of Geraldo Concepcion, who is experiencing a breakout season.
Concepcion, 24, has an 0.66 ERA in 16 appearances at Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. Concepcion limited left-handed batters to an .045 batting average at Tennessee and .167 at Iowa.
Concepcion signed a five-year, $6 million contract with the Cubs after leaving Cuba for Mexico after the 2011 season.
