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By Jackson Roberts
Contributing Sports Writer
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The battle for spots in the Chicago Cubs' bullpen will be one of the top storylines to watch in spring training.
Last season, the Cubs hit big on a minor-league signing. Brad Keller, whose career previously looked to be on life support, went on to win the setup man role for the Cubs early in the year, then cashed in with a two-year, $22 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies this season.
It sure looks like the Cubs believe there's a blueprint to follow there, because there are lots of candidates that could become the next Keller on this year's spring training roster. And according to reports, one more veteran arm just joined the mix.
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Last week, Tread Athletics posted on social media that seven-year major league veteran Trent Thornton and the Cubs agreed to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. Bruce Levine, an insider for 670 The Score in Chicago, confirmed the signing on Wednesday.
Thornton, 32, was a middle reliever for the Seattle Mariners last season before disaster struck at the end of July, when he tore his left Achilles while trying to cover a base. He has been throwing bullpens this month, but it may still be optimistic to think he could be ready for opening day.
In 235 games for the Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, Thornton owns a career ERA of 4.38, with 379 strikeouts across 401 innings.
Thornton joins lefty Charlie Barnes and righties Corbin Martin, Jeff Brigham, and Collin Snider as minor-league signees who will compete for spots in the Cubs' bullpen. Chicago also added veterans Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Jacob Webb, and Hoby Milner, and they brought back lefty Caleb Thielbar.
In addition to Keller, key contributors Andrew Kittredge and Drew Pomeranz departed, as the former was traded to the Baltimore Orioles and the latter signed with the Los Angeles Angels as a free agent.
It's a highly intriguing mix, and based on what we saw from the Cubs last year, Thornton may be as good a bet as anyone to be playing a key role by the time the stretch run comes around.
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