Free Agent Pitcher From Pirates Signs With Cubs

The Cubs are reportedly going to sign Pirates free agent pitcher Steven Brault. Robert Murray broke the news of the agreement first Wednesday morning. Jon Heyman later confirmed it.

Free-agent pitcher Steven Brault closing in on a deal with the Chicago Cubs, according to sources familiar with the situation.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) March 16, 2022

Steven Brault to Cubs. @ByRobertMurray 1st

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 16, 2022

Brault, 29, has spent his entire big league career with the Pirates, first making his MLB debut in 2016. The left-hander has spent time as a reliever and starting pitcher. Overall, the numbers haven’t been good for Brault, who has a 4.77 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 343.1 innings.

He has been better as a starting pitcher, although it is still below average with a 4.58 ERA in 52 starts. Again, most of the arms the Cubs sign this offseason will be guys they hope they can “fix.” While Brault certainly hasn’t been a consistent starter throughout his career there have been glimpses of him being a solid pitcher. For 15 starts from late May to early September in 2019, Brault was good, recording a 3.24 ERA during that 80-inning stretch.

In the shortened 2020 season, Brault made 10 starts and one relief appearance and once again was good with Pittsburgh. He posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 42.2 innings, striking out 38 batters. Unfortunately Brault couldn’t keep that momentum going into 2021, as he missed the first four months of the season after suffering a lat strain. He made seven starts last season and looked good in his first four, allowing four earned runs in 18.2 innings, before getting shelled in his final three starts when he was touched up for 14 runs in nine innings.

The Cubs certainly have had a first-hand look facing Brault throughout the past six seasons and let’s hope they brought him in because they know what are and how to address his issues.

Steven Brault vs the Cubs:
6.88 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, .295/.394/.516 allowed against

Fuckin YIKES

— dwest (@dwest___) March 16, 2022

Plus, at this point the Cubs simply need as many pitchers as they can get. Injuries to Codi Heuer and Adbert Alzolay have changed the team’s outlook on the pitching staff, so bringing in another guy who can start is useful.

According to Jordan Bastian, Brault will sign an MLB deal with the Cubs.

Source: LHP Steven Brault is getting a Major League deal with the Cubs.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 16, 2022

Brault does have one minor league option left.

It’s been almost a week since Brault’s agreement with the Cubs was first reported, but we finally have some more details. Brault is joining the team on a minor-league deal that also includes a July opt-out. Unfortunately, the lefty is dealing with a setback.

LHP Steven Brault's deal with Cubs is going to be a Minor League contract with non-roster invite (with a July opt-out). The pitcher is currently dealing with an injury setback.

In Majors, Brault's deal comes with $1.5M salary, plus $400K available in bonuses.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 21, 2022