Hector Rondon doesn't mind giving up the closer's job to Aroldis Chapman
Rondon has 18 saves with a 1.95 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 37 innings this season
Since being a Rule 5 Draft pick back in 2012, Cubs right-hander Hector Rondon has blossomed into one of the best relievers in all of baseball. He's saved 18 games with a 1.95 ERA (208 ERA+) and 48 strikeouts in 37 innings this season, and since 2014, Rondon has a 2.01 ERA (193 ERA+) in 170 1/3 innings.
And yet, as good as Rondon has been, the Cubs went out and acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees earlier this week. It's easy to understand why they did it too. There's not a bullpen in baseball that wouldn't improve by adding Chapman, and now he and Rondon form one of the best lefty-righty reliever tandems in the game.
Chapman is expected to take over as Chicago's closer, a role Rondon has filled since 2014. Many players would be upset about a demotion like that, especially since it's undeserved. It's not like Rondon has pitched poorly. When asked about the demotion, Rondon said he had no problem with it because Chapman improves the team. From ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers:
"I think it's good for our team," Rondon said before Monday's Cubs/White Sox game. "He's one of the best relievers we have right now. I'm good with that. I know I did a really good job in my role. "You have a chance to get that guy, better take it."
It's worth noting this move could end up costing Rondon some money. He's making $4.2 million as a first-time arbitration-eligible player this year, and saves still pay big in arbitration. His raises for 2017 and 2018 might not be quite as big now that he's a setup man and Chapman is closing.
I think Rondon will be fine though. He has 77 saves in his career and that's enough to ensure a big raise after the season, even if he spends the next few months as a setup man. Rondon figures to return to the closer's role next season too -- Chapman will be a free agent after the season -- which will further boost his saves total.
Code: Select all
Year W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2016 Stats 1 2 1.89 39 0 18 38.0 48 0.71 Rondon
2016 Stats 3 0 1.95 32 0 20 32.1 46 0.87 Chapman
[ Not a too shabby back end of the bullpen. Cubs keeping up with the Joneses, Mets that is. ]
