Spring Training Doesn't Really Mean Much But Brandon Kintzler Still Looks Bad

Hopefully Brandon Kintzler becomes the 2019 version of Justin Wilson, but the Cubs should maybe consider just calling it a $5 million loss with the right-hander. You know, I know, the Cubs know, spring training numbers don't mean shit, but has there been any signs that Kintzler's made any improvements? He's still getting hit hard so far in spring training and the thing is the Cubs actually have a few other pitchers who could easily replace Kintzler in the bullpen and possibly provide a higher upside. Kintzler made his third spring training appearance on Thursday against the Rockies and he couldn't get through one inning. He walked the first batter he faced and then three hits followed, including a three-run double. And yes, it's only one bad outing, but the point remains that if it continues through the month of March the Cubs should really consider letting him go. Yes, Kintzler could very just figure it out all of a sudden just like Justin Wilson did last year after his miserable couple of months after being traded to Chicago in 2017. Before Kintzler was dealt to the Cubs in 2018, he had a decent track record with a few teams. He had a 3.03 ERA in 2017, saving 29 games, pitching for the Twins and Nationals and that was after posting a 3.15 ERA in 54.1 innings the year before with Minnesota. In 2013-14, Kintzler had a few more good seasons with the Brewers, recording a 2.69 and 3.24 ERA, respectively. However, the Cubs have a few minor leaguers who are pretty much ready to step in and contribute right now and they have a good chance to be better than Kintzler. Dakota Mekkes, drafted in the 10th round back in 2016, has been awesome in the minors and probably should have been called up last September, when the Cubs bullpen was burned out. The 6-foot-7, righty finished 2018 at Triple-A, where he posted a 1.44 ERA in 31.1 innings. Overall, Mekkes had a 1.17 ERA in 53.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He struck out 71 batters in those 53.2 innings. Mekkes has thrown 147 innings, all as a reliever, in the minors and he's put up a 1.16 ERA. He's pitched four scoreless innings in spring training. It's not just Mekkes, though, as Allen Webster has shown up to spring training throwing gas too.

Webster, 29, used to be a top pitching prospect with the Dodgers and was signed by the Cubs last offseason. Webster has great stuff, but the only tricky thing about him is that he doesn't have any minor-league options remaining. But still, give me Mekkes or Webster, and I'd even take Dillon Maples, despite not being his biggest fan, over Kintzler. I know it's a completely different situation because Justin Grimm didn't have a guaranteed contract, but the Cubs let him go last spring training after he continued to struggle. Kintzler is owed $5 million in 2019, but sometimes you just have to eat that money to make your team better. Theo Epstein was on 670 The Score earlier this week and he brought up both Mekkes and Webster, as a few pitchers who he's been impressed by so far in spring training. Via Bleacher Nation.

Allen Webster is one reliever who’s impressed Theo Epstein early this Spring, and the same can be said about Dakota Mekkes: “He’s succeeded at every level he’s ever been – against the odds, you can say, because he’s not a guy who throws particularly hard or has a great breaking ball, but just a great competitor … he’s looked really good in camp, too.”

If these other pitchers continue to pitch well and Kintzler hasn't shown much improvement, I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs cut him loose. They should anyway.