Cubs add to 'pen with Robertson; Brault, too (source)

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs have innings to offer and are on the hunt for arms as Opening Day approaches. That includes looking for late-inning weapons and versatile options who can offer multiple frames.

The Cubs addressed both of those areas on Wednesday, when they announced a one-year deal with veteran reliever David Robertson and reached an agreement on a one-year, MLB contract with lefty Steven Brault, per a source. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers also reported Wednesday night that the Cubs reached an agreement on an MLB deal for lefty Daniel Norris.

"Our biggest focus, candidly," Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said on Monday, "has been -- and we've said this over and over -- is on pitching and pitching depth."

On Robertson's fit
Robertson's deal comes with a base salary of $3.5 million, plus $1.5 million available in incentives, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. In order to add the veteran late-inning righty to the 40-man roster, the Cubs placed Codi Heuer (Tommy John surgery on his right elbow) on the 60-day injured list.

The 36-year-old Robertson worked in 15 games last season (three in the playoffs) for the Rays, following his own comeback from Tommy John surgery in '19. From 2011-18, Robertson was a reliable setup man and closer, posting a 2.59 ERA with 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings in 520 games for the Yankees and White Sox.

With Heuer sidelined for all of 2022, Robertson joins Rowan Wick as two main late-inning arms. Lefty Brad Wieck and righty Manuel Rodríguez also give manager David Ross setup options. The Cubs also brought in veteran Jesse Chavez (non-roster) and have an agreement with Chris Martin on a one-year deal, pending physical, per a source.

On Brault, Norris fit
Brault, 29, missed most of the 2021 season due to a left lat strain, posting a 5.86 ERA in seven appearances between August and September for the Pirates. His deal, which is pending a physical, is not official and was not confirmed by the Cubs.

Given that Brault has one Minor League option remaining, he provides the Cubs with rotation depth at a minimum, or a multi-inning reliever for the bullpen. Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy has noted that arms capable of logging multiple innings will be important at the start of the season, given the short runway to the April 7 season opener.

During the 2020 campaign, the Pirates used Brault as an opener at times, and the lefty logged a 3.38 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 22 walks in 42 2/3 innings. Per Statcast, Brault averaged 92.2 mph on his fastball in '20, but saw that drop to 90.7 mph during his injury-marred '21 season.

Norris, 28, posted a 6.16 ERA in 56 games last season between stints with the Tigers and Brewers, with 58 strikeouts against 30 walks in 57 innings. Norris (out of options) averaged 92.7 mph on his fastball in 2021, per Statcast. He also features a slider and changeup, and gives the Cubs a much-needed lefty option.

Ricketts family planning bid for Chelsea
The Ricketts family, which own the Cubs, is planning a formal bid to purchase the Premier League's Chelsea Football Club. Sky News was the first to confirm the upcoming offer from a Ricketts family-led investment group.

A statement from a London-based firm read: "As long-time operators of an iconic professional sports team, the Ricketts family and their partners understand the importance of investing for success on the pitch, while respecting the traditions of the club, the fans and the community. We look forward to sharing further details of our plans in due course."

Worth noting
• Fresh off signing a one-year deal with the Cubs, veteran shortstop Andrelton Simmons chatted with reporters after Wednesday's workout. He is expected to share the innings at shortstop with Nico Hoerner this season.

"I'm here trying to help the team win. Anything they want," Simmons said. "I'm going to try to share a little bit of my experience, share my knowledge, help the young guys if I can. I'm also all ears. I'm always ready to keep learning and keep growing."

• Outfielder Ian Happ (right elbow cleanup procedure in February) has been throwing and hitting in camp. On Wednesday morning, he took part in live batting practice against Alec Mills, Cayne Ueckert and Michael Rucker. Happ is on target for Opening Day.

• Right-hander Kyle Hendricks is scheduled to start for the Cubs in Thursday's Cactus League home opener against the White Sox. Lefty Ben Holmes is slated to start for the Cubs in Thursday's road split squad game against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch.

Quotable
"He used to make me carry this poker chip thing that nobody ever used. I had to do it. I did it. It was fine. It was cool. He picked on me a little bit. It's all good. Humbled me a little bit." -- Simmons, joking about his days as Ross' locker neighbor with Atlanta in 2010