The Cubs bullpen has undergone some changes since last offseason, both roster- and location-wise.
Aroldis Chapman and Travis Wood are out, Wade Davis and Koji Uehara are in and the actual bullpens at Wrigley Field have been moved under the bleachers, where pitchers will be out of sight — though not out of mind.
We won’t get to see the new bullpens until the April 10 home opener, and we won’t get to see pitchers warming up unless they’re showed on the video boards. The Cubs have maintained the decision to move the bullpens was due to safety concerns, though the additional revenue from new seats down the foul lines obviously was a consideration.
Pitching coach Chris Bosio and manager Joe Maddon have said they aren’t thrilled with the switch, but neither is resisting change. They understand it’s part of the renovation plan.
The original plan was to enlarge the outfield doors from 12-feet wide to 24 feet to make it easier for pitchers to watch the game from behind the bleachers walls. But the ivy on the walls is protected by the city’s landmark ordinance, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel rejected the plan, forcing the Cubs to go with a smaller opening.
Bosio won’t be able to watch his relievers warming up from the dugout, so communication with bullpen coach Lester Strode will be even more important.
"It’ll be different," Bosio said. "In Houston you can’t see (the pitchers), and Atlanta. … There are some parts we’re going to have to figure out. Wrigley is so unique, a lot like San Francisco, because you’re right there with the crowd, and we think that’s a huge home-field advantage for us. We’ve got to turn it into a home-field advantage no matter where the bullpens are."
Former Cubs reliever Jason Motte referred to the Astros bullpen as a "dungeon" because it’s enclosed and difficult to watch the game. Jake Arrieta was among the Cubs pitchers who preferred the status quo, saying in September that he enjoyed warming up on the field.
Photos as the Cubs arrive at spring training in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 13, 2017.
"There really is no comparison to being outside to replicate the way you’re going to be pitching in a game situation," Arrieta said. "I’m OK with it. I like it. I’d prefer them there versus being underneath the bleachers in left field."
But it’s a new world, and Bosio said everyone will adjust.
"We will sit down and talk about every detail we possibly can," Bosio said. "We’ll look at the other ballparks, talk to their coaches, players, and try to come up with all the pluses and minuses and be as prepared as we can be. That’s all you can do."
Visiting players should be happy with the move: They no longer will be subjected to abuse by Cubs fans while they warm up.
As for Cubs relievers, Maddon and Bosio believe the group will be as strong as last season. Bosio said he believes Maddon will use his bullpen more traditionally during the season than he did last postseason, meaning Davis would pitch only the ninth innings for the most part. Chapman entered in the seventh and eighth innings at times during the postseason after saying he preferred to start the ninth.
"It was more of a postseason thing," Bosio said. "The seven, eight relievers we had last year were big for us, and I can’t see using them any other way because it’s part of the season. Once you get in the postseason, who is not going to bring in a guy throwing 102 miles an hour? Plus we were a little banged up back there (with Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon coming off injuries).
"You do different things depending on different circumstances. Maybe we do and maybe we don’t. Depends on what kind of start we get off to, the health of the club. A lot of things can happen."
Caption Miguel Montero on his playing time
Veteran Cubs catcher Miguel Montero discusses his potential playing time heading into the 2017 season.
Veteran Cubs catcher Miguel Montero discusses his potential playing time heading into the 2017 season.
Caption Hector Rondon on his health and pitching in the World Baseball Classic
Cubs pitcher Hector Rondon discusses his health (he injured his triceps last summer) and possibly pitching for his native Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Cubs pitcher Hector Rondon discusses his health (he injured his triceps last summer) and possibly pitching for his native Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
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