Cubs Sign Andy Sonnanstine, Manny Corpas

Manny Corpas

Before the new year the Cubs quietly completed a deal to sign starter-turned-reliever Andy Sonnanstine.  Allow me to provide a little insight on the move.

In the grand scheme of things, he provides little to the Cubs.  A 13th round pick of the Devil Rays in 2004, Sonnanstine had an impressive minor league track record with a high strikeout rate and low walk rate.  His ERAs were consistently in the 2.00s and 3.00s all the way up to his breakout season as an innings-eater for the 2008 Rays.  Lately, however, his career hasn't gone so well.  By 2010 he had lost his rotation spot and struggled out of the bullpen facing increasing walk rates and ballooning ERAs.  In 2011 he spent most of his time with the Durham Bulls in AAA, but even there he couldn't recreate his previous success in the minors.  His modest 15 games with the major league Rays was a forgettable stint for sure.

A fresh start could be just what this owner of a 5.26 ERA needs.  Chris Bosio will be tasked with finding a way for him to improve his flat fastball, which he goes to 64% of the time.  Manny Corpas' story is somewhat similar.  Corpas emerged as Colorado's best in the bullpen in 2007 with a 2.08 ERA in 78 innings and a WHIP of just 1.06.  From 2008-10, however, he started giving up too many hits and couldn't keep runners off base.  A 4.62 ERA in 2010 didn't recognize the potential he showed earlier in his career.  Then he missed all of 2011 to injury, and now he winds up here with the Cubs.

Neither move is a big move, but both add experience to a bullpen that will be lacking it in 2012.  I don't think Sonnanstine will last long with the major league club if he even gets on after Spring Training, but Iowa Cubs fans might get a good look at him.  Corpas is simply the better pitcher in my opinion, and I think he will earn a bullpen spot in middle relief.  The athletic 29-year-old Panamanian will be healthy to begin the season so he should take advantage of this fresh start.  Believe it or not, he will be the second-oldest in the 'pen behind Carlos Marmol who is only a month older.  That is unless Kerry Wood signs.

No matter what both pitchers will need some work to return to form.  An early test for Bosio, perhaps.