The Chicago Cubs made the move to improve their bullpen when they acquired closer Aroldis Chapman in July.
After a few injuries and struggles from newly acquired relievers Mike Montgomery and Joe Smith, the Cubs could be looking to booster that bullpen again. That could come in the form of a former World Series closer for the Boston Red Sox.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Cubs are expected to be one of the teams taking a look at Jonathan Papelbon:
Cubs will be among teams that will take a look at Jonathan Papelbon as possible fit. He'd have to be comfortable in set-up role, of course.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 14, 2016
Papelbon was released by the Washington Nationals on Sunday after the team traded for closer Mark Melancon, who replaced Papelbon. The righty has struggled with the Nationals in 2016, posting an ERA over four. His velocity has dropped significantly as he’s barely hitting 90 MPH on the radar guns.
The reliever does have ties to Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein, going back to his days in Boston.
It’s another move that could shake things up, as his hot temper has gotten the best of him in the past. But if it helps the bullpen, the Cubs could take a chance on him.
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