The Chicago Cubs completed their third deal before the trade deadline, landing yet another left-handed relief pitcher – according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The Cubs have acquired Josh Osich from the Boston Red Sox for a low level minor leaguer.
The Cubs now have three lefty relievers in the pen, Osich, Andrew Chafin (who they acquired for another low-level prospect), and Kyle Ryan. Osich has struck out 9 of the 28 lefties he’s faced this season.
Osich has held lefties to a .211/.283/.382 line in his career. In 2020, that has increased to .231/.286/.462. I would suggest that this is a small sample size, but he is still holding lefties to a below league average OBP. I would guess that over the course of another 20 games, that Slugging percentage would decrease as well.
Both Osich and Chafin appear to be LOOGY types that are trying to find a way in today’s game. Now that relievers have to face a three-batter minimum, they need to find ways to get right-handed-hitting out. Let’s see if that comes to fruition in Chicago.
