Chicago Cubs

Cubs' closer carousel has no end in sight, and that's a big problem

Published Jul. 28, 2015 11:59 p.m. ET

foxsports

It's hard to be a legitimate playoff contender without a legitimate closer.

The troubles in the Chicago Cubs' bullpen are many, and the carousel could turn once again as manager Joe Maddon is basically out of answers, unless Chicago pulls off a trade for back-end reliever before Friday's non-waiver trade deadline.

Hector Rondon leads the Cubs with 12 saves. He's blown three opportunities. Those 12 saves rank Rondon 15th in the National League. There are 15 teams in the National League. Seven NL closers have doubled Rondon, who could find himself back in that role after the recent issues Jason Motte has experienced, according to the Chicago Tribune. The bearded reliever has surrendered 13 hits in his last 6.1 innings.

Rafael Soriano, who joined the team recently, has allowed has allowed game-winning homers in each of his last two outings.

"With the bullpen, there are moments you want to do something," manager Joe Maddon told reporters Tuesday, the day after Motte and Soriano allowed four runs in the ninth inning against the Rockies. "There are moments where you have to do something. So you prefer the ones you want to do something."

Rookie slugger Kris Bryant saved Monday's game with a two-run, walk-off homer, but Maddon and the Cubs now those kind of heroics can't be counted upon.

(h/t Chicago Tribune)