All teams that go on to win the World Series in any given season are different. The mesh of the lineup is different, in-game strategy is different, the mixing and matching with starting pitching and the bullpen is different as well.

One thing that usually is true, though, is that the bullpen is elite. It’s not always true, but good bullpen pitching usually plays a major role in securing a championship. If that stands true again this season, the Chicago Cubs don’t have a chance of winning the fall classic.

In what has been a magnificent start to the season for Chicago, the bullpen has been a glaring issue and something that certainly needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Headed into Wednesday, the Cubs have the fifth-worst bullpen ERA at 4.81 and the seventh-least bullpen strikeouts with 92. Chicago has been able to win 18 games in April despite those numbers, but it is certainly not sustainable and if it continues, it will come back to haunt the Cubs.

There is a solution, and that is to bring in better arms to replace some of the weak links in the bullpen. Here are two trades and one free agent Chicago should consider going after to help address its weakness.

Jhoan Duran (Minnesota Twins)

Duran is the closer on a Minnesota team that looks to be headed nowhere this season. With a record of 13-17 in a bit of is a top-heavy AL Central division, it may be time for the Twins to begin thinking about trades.

Duran has pitched to a 1.46 ERA in 12 1/3 innings and he would undoubtedly be the flame-thrower in the bullpen that Chicago is lacking. It is unclear if Minnesota would even listen to calls on Duran, but it certainly can’t hurt for the Cubs to try.

Phil Maton (St. Louis Cardinals)

Maton is not a closer like Duran is, but he could certainly give Chicago some valuable innings out of the bullpen if needed. Maton has a 2.63 ERA and 17 strikeouts across 13 2/3 innings so far this season.

While a trade between the division rivals is quite unlikely, it has happened before (notably Lou Brock) and a trade for a middle-of-the-bullpen pitcher is probably the most likely scenario for a trade between the two sides.

David Robertson (Free Agent)

A relief pitcher with 15 years of experience and a career ERA under a 3.00 still being a free agent doesn’t make much sense. So many teams could use the services of Robertson, yet nobody has picked up him yet.

The Cubs need to swallow their pride and reach out to the veteran right-hander. Robertson has spent time with the Cubs in previous seasons and looked good doing it. His career ERA with Chicago sits at 2.23 in 36 appearances and if signed, could be an important piece of the bullpen right away.

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