Joe Maddon says he might have his best rotation since becoming Cubs manager

MESA, Ariz. — Two days into pitchers’ workouts — including a first “really clean” day in the bullpen for newcomer Yu Darvish — Cubs manager Joe Maddon is starting to get visions of the best rotation he has had in Chicago.

“It’s a very talented group,” he said about the five-man crew of Darvish, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood. “We’ve had good ones, and I think this 1-through-5 has a chance to exceed what’s happened over the last three years.”

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That’s an especially high bar, considering those playoff seasons were built largely on a three-year run by the rotation that included a major-league-best 3.44 ERA, a Cy Young season by Jake Arrieta (2015) and an ERA title by Hendricks (2016).

Darvish and Chatwood are new to this year’s group, and Quintana is back for his first full season with the Cubs after being acquired at the All-Star break in a trade with the White Sox.

Maddon’s optimism for his rotation is partially rooted in a potentially deep bullpen that includes newcomers Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek and the return of lefty free agent Brian Duensing.

With more experience, a strong left-right balance and the return to the bullpen of swingman Mike Montgomery after the Darvish signing, Maddon said he expects to be able to have more options for controlling workloads.

Maddon said he plans to carry eight relievers on a 13-man staff.

“It’s hard to imagine less than 13; there’s so many great candidates,” he said. “And if you look at the position players, there’s so much versatility. Why put another guy on the bench.”

Joe likes Contreras better, too

After starting catcher Willson Contreras caught Darvish in his bullpen session Thursday, Maddon quickly dispelled any possible lingering speculation about Darvish’s onetime personal catcher, Chris Gimenez, being signed to catch him.

“That’s been a contrived conversation,” Maddon said. “Of course [Gimenez] might catch him, but Willson’s our guy. Willson’s our catcher. It’s never been our plan to match [Darvish] up exclusively with [Gimenez].’’

Besides, Darvish said Tuesday, “I like Contreras better.”

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Email: gwittenmyer@suntimes.com