The Chicago Cubs made another move today in an effort to salvage their disastrous bullpen.
Chicago is signing right-hander Vinny Nittoli, according to a breaking report on Thursday morning from ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
“The Chicago Cubs are signing right-handed reliever Vinny Nittoli to a major league deal,” Passan said. “Nittoli was DFA’d by Oakland after posting a 2.25 ERA in eight innings. Cubs are hoping to hit on another DFA’d reliever as they did with Tyson Miller, who’s been great.”
Chicago’s bullpen is a mess of late. While the Cubs have received pleasantly surprising production from Miller — as noted by Passan — the ‘pen as a whole has wasted many good outings from Chicago’s staff.
The Cubs rank No. 20 in Major League Baseball in saves (18) and No. 7 in save opportunities (35). Their bullpen also ranks No. 23 in MLB bullpen ERA (4.52).
Chicago’s inability to close games might be the main reason for its 37-44 record entering Thursday, good for last place in the National League Central.
If the Cubs had a more robust bullpen or even some semblance of a regular closer, they’d more than likely have taken advantage of a higher percentage of 35 save opportunities. A serviceable bullpen can be the difference between playoff contention and a disappointing season, and Chicago is a prime example.
Adding Nittoli is the Cubs’ latest attempt at enhancing their floundering bullpen.
Nittoli lacks significant MLB experience, with just 14 2/3 innings pitched across 13 appearances in his career.
The 33-year-old hurler has tallied ten strikeouts in those appearances, with an ERA of 3.07.
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