Cubs Bring Back Pitcher on 2-Year Deal

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly bringing back left-handed relief pitcher Brad Wieck. According to Robert Murray, the Cubs and Wieck have agreed on a two-year deal.

Wieck, 31, has been with the Cubs since July 2019. The lefty underwent Tommy John surgery this past July, so this deal has more to do with having him with the team by the time spring training gets underway in 2024.

Wieck is definitely one of those guys you are rooting for a little harder. He has gone through some health issues beyond baseball, missing time because of an irregular heartbeat in 2021, which came after he had already underwent a cardiac ablation in February 2020.

But when he's been healthy, Wieck has been a stud out of the bullpen in limited time. Since 2018, Wieck has only pitched in 65 games, throwing a total of 59.2 innings, but during his time in the big leagues he has struck out 89 batters, which comes out to a 35.9 K%. In 2021, Wieck made 15 bullpen appearances for the Cubs and did not give up a single run, while striking out 28 hitters in 17 innings. He only allowed 10 hits, holding opponents to a .164 batting average.

I guess there is a small chance that Wieck could pitch either in the minors or at the very end of the 2023 season with the Cubs after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. However, consider the left-hander had the elbow surgery in July, and he has already agreed to a two-year contract, then there is no real reason to try and rush him back to see how he performs on the mound in 2023. The Cubs will most likely take it slow with Wieck's recovery, as he will get back on a throwing program later on this year. The best-case scenario here is that Wieck fully comes back without any setbacks, has a normal 2023-24 offseason and is ready to go for next year's spring training.

Prior to the heart issue in 2021, Wieck featured a 93mph fastball with a nasty curve ball that would drive hitters crazy.

Wieck was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012, but he decided not to sign and then after a couple more years in college he was picked in the seventh round of the 2014 draft by the New York Mets. Wieck was traded to the San Diego Padres in June 2015, and eventually made his MLB debut with the Padres in September 2018. In January 2019, Wieck had cancer surgery and then on July 31, 2019, he was traded to the Cubs for right-handed relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. Wieck has been in the Cubs organization ever since then.

So, all the best to Wieck and hopefully the Tommy John rehab continues without any major issues. Hopefully, Wieck can be one of those under the radar guys who eventually turns into a solid contributor in a major league bullpen and hopefully that will be with the Cubs.