As the Chicago Cubs continue to struggle, the chatter from the outside gets louder and less patient. A team considered a favorite in a weak division now finds itself scraping the bottom after a downward spiral. All eyes are on the trade market to improve the team, but Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has told everyone to pump the breaks.
Hoyer believes the fix for the Cubs will come from within the organization. Anything they do on the trade market will merely be an addition to what is already in place. Barely anyone considered the Cubs looking at free agency in June to find ways to improve, but here we are.
On Tuesday night, the Cubs let another game be lost thanks to a lack of offense and bullpen implosion. This time, Hector Neris gave up four runs in the bottom of the ninth, capped off by a walk-off home run to solidify the blown save and loss. Neris leads the Cubs in saves, but that does not tell the whole story. The Cubs don’t have a closer.
As there is every year, a crop of relievers from selling teams will be available on the trade market for the Cubs to consider adding. That is if they still plan on being contenders in July. It’s fair to question that at this point. However, Hoyer and the Cubs have made a move that may at least change who is included in the bullpen in June.
Cubs Sign Jorge Lopez To Minor-League Contract
The Chicago Cubs and relief pitcher Jorge Lopez have agreed to a minor-league deal. Lopez, who was DFA’d by the Mets last month, has a 3.76 ERA in 26.1 innings pitched in 2024. You may remember the name from the last time he was on the mound.
On May 28th, Lopez was credited with the loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers after surrendering a three-run home run in his relief appearance. The very next day, he looked to avenge himself. However, he argued with a call on a pitch that got him thrown out of the game. This ended his day on the field, but his day was far from over.
After being tossed from the game, Lopez tossed his glove into the crowd in frustration. After the games, he met with the media with some very choice words.
Some believed he was misquoted, thinking he was calling himself the “worst teammate” in the league, not calling the Mets the worst team. But he came in after the fact and said he meant both. Either way, he was DFA’d by the Mets, understandably. Now, Hoyer and the Cubs believe he could be someone who could potentially help spark this bullpen that struggles to keep a league.
The Cubs will need a lot more than Jorge Lopez if they plan on turning things around in 2024. It’s not the move anyone expected, but it fits Jed Hoyer’s thinking.
Really???😳