Brian Duensing Reportedly Returning to Cubs' Bullpen
By James Neveau ••
The Chicago Cubs reportedly added another piece to their bullpen on Wednesday, as they inked Brian Duensing to a two-year deal.
Duensing, who posted a 2.74 ERA and struck out 61 batters for the Cubs last season, will make $7 million in the deal, according to FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
The move is hardly a surprising one for a Cubs team that is seemingly preparing to give Mike Montgomery a chance to pitch his way into the starting rotation. Duensing gives them another solid left-handed arm in case that ends up happening, and he pitched well enough last season for a $3.5 million annual salary to potentially be a bargain.
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Round numbers are always great, and Bryant has exactly 100 career home runs when you combine regular season and postseason dingers.
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It's okay, Anthony: Kris Bryant narrowly edged out his "Bryzzo" compatriot in 2017 jersey sales, finishing in second place in all of baseball.
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Kris Bryant made history when he signed his 2017 contract, the richest ever given to a non-arbitration eligible player before White Sox star Tim Anderson signed a six year deal a few weeks later.
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Did you know that Kris knows all the words to the "Moana" AND "Frozen" soundtracks? According to his wife Jessica, he does!
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Bryant is willing to take a hit to get a hit: he's the first Cub ever to hit two home runs AND be hit by two pitches in the same game.
Bryant is the youngest player in Cubs history to hit three home runs in a single game, beating the legendary Ernie Banks by 10 DAYS!
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Bryant is also an accomplished thespian, appearing in an episode of “Chicago Fire.”
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Four players in MLB history have won Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in back-to-back seasons. Bryant is one of them.
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Kris Bryant is so good that other teams set off fireworks to celebrate his home runs. Yes. Really.
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11 players in MLB history have appeared in 150 or more games in each of their first three seasons. Bryant made that list in 2017.
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 17: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs throws to first base in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 17, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Kris Bryant is unfailingly polite: he and his wife Jessica sent thank you notes to fans who sent them wedding gifts!
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His politeness doesn’t always extend to the field, as he was ejected this year for the first time ever.
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Bryant is one of two players in Cubs history to hit 39 or more home runs at the age of 24 or younger, joining Ernie Banks (44 in 1955)
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His 13.6 WAR in his first two MLB seasons was the highest in baseball history
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Bryant had five extra base hits in a single game, making him the first Cubs player to hit that mark since George Gore….in 1885!
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Bryant is not only number one in the hearts of Cubs fans (and skipper Joe Maddon), but he also was the number 1 card in Topps' 2017 set.
Duensing also gives them more depth as they prepare for life without Wade Davis this season. Davis signed a lucrative deal with the Colorado Rockies over the offseason, meaning that players like Brandon Morrow and Pedro Strop will likely be competing for the closer’s job.
That could give Duensing an opportunity to fill into a seventh inning role with the Cubs as well, and his flexibility will give Joe Maddon yet another option in a bullpen that is one of the deepest in baseball.
