Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Reportedly Scouting White Sox Closer Alex Colome

The Chicago Cubs have had some serious issues with their bullpen this season, and according to a new report, they could consider turning to their crosstown rival for help in fixing the problem.

The report, which comes from 670 the Score's Bruce Levine, indicates that the Cubs are doing some scouting work on White Sox closer Alex Colomé. The hurler is having a strong season thus far for the South Siders, with a 1.59 ERA and 11 saves in 11 attempts thus far.

According to Levine’s report, the Cubs are one of at least six teams who had scouts at Guaranteed Rate Field this week to watch Colomé work, joining the Phillies, Mets, Nationals, and Diamondbacks.

The 30-year-old reliever was acquired by the White Sox in a trade with the Seattle Mariners over the offseason. He is due to make $7.325 million this season, and will be eligible for arbitration heading into next year before becoming a free agent following the 2020 campaign.

If the Cubs decide that the price is too high on Colomé, they could conceivably go in another direction, as the market for former Red Sox reliever Craig Kimbrel is likely to heat up in the coming days. Once the first round of the MLB Draft passes, teams will no longer have to forfeit draft picks to sign Kimbrel, and the reported price on the reliever has been dropping as the season has gone on.

Finally, the Cubs could just hope that the addition of Pedro Strop back into the mix will help solve some of their issues at the back end of games. The Cubs have blown 11 save chances this season, the second-highest total in the National League, and only two of their relievers have an ERA under three this season, with Tyler Chatwood leading the way at 2.76.

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