Cubs, Kyle Ryan avoid arbitration

Three of the six arbitration-eligible Cubs have now agreed to terms for 2020. The latest announcement is about lefthanded reliever Kyle Ryan:

That’s $125,000 lower than the MLB Trade Rumors projection. So if you’re keeping track (and I am!), the Cubs are now “ahead” $250,000 compared to the MLBTR projected numbers.

Ryan had a solid season in the Cubs bullpen in 2019, posting a 3.54 ERA and 1.377 WHIP in 73 appearances covering 61 innings. That appearance-to-inning ratio will change in 2020, most likely, with the new three-batter minimum per appearance rule. His numbers were actually better than that before he allowed six earned runs in his final three appearances of the season; he had a 2.79 ERA and 1.293 WHIP before those outings, all of them against the Cardinals.

Good lefthanded relievers aren’t easy to find. Ryan seems pretty reliable and he turned 28 in September, so he can probably be counted on for good production for another year or two, at least.