Chicago Cubs sign veteran reliever Lucas Luetge |
Apparently, Jed Hoyer and the Cubs are going to treat August like the MLB offseason as they continue to make under-the-radar moves. While none of these moves would be considered MLB moves or difference makers, they are considered depth moves with the intention of helping out AAA Iowa for the regular season push.
Wednesday saw the Cubs continue that trend as 37-year-old lefty Lucas Luetge and the Cubs agreed to a Minor League deal. Luetge has spent the entire season in the Red Sox organization but elected to opt out last week, which led to the Cubs picking him. Whatever the reason for his opt-out, the Cubs must give him a better chance of making the MLB roster, which could be why he signed with the Cubs. The long-time veteran made his debut in 2012 and spent his first four seasons bouncing around the Mariners system, where he posted a 4.35 ERA with a 4.27 FIP in 111 appearances in the majors. Luetge also saw 94 appearances in the minors during that time frame and posted a 4.21 ERA over the same time frame. While that performance alone isn't terrible, his 19% strikeout rate and near 13% walk rate at the time wasn't very good, which is why the Mariners released him in 2015. After his release, Luetge had no issues finding a job as he bounced around five organizations over the next five seasons. He did, however, have a tough time getting back to the majors as no opportunities presented themselves for him during that stretch. His best chance came in 2019, when he was part of the Arizona Diamondbacks system and posted a 3.14 ERA in 43 innings of work with a solid 25% strikeout rate at the highest level of the minors. Two years later, the lefty was seeking a new opportunity, and that opportunity came with the New York Yankees. Not only did Luetge work his way back up to the majors with the Yankees, but his overall improvement as a pitcher made him one of Aaron Boone's most trusted options out of the pen. He appeared in 129 2/3 frames for the Yankees in those seasons and dominated to the tune of a 2.71 ERA with a 2.92 FIP while seeing massive improvements in his strikeout and walk rates compared to his time in Seattle. He struck out 25% of batters faced for New York while walking just 5.8%, making him one of the more valuable relievers in the club’s bullpen during his tenure in the Bronx. However, those numbers weren't good enough to keep him around, as the Yankees designated him for an assignment following 2022, which was a bit of a shock. The Atlanta Braves immediately picked him up, but after allowing 11 runs in less than 10 innings, his time with Atlanta was very short-lived. That brings us to this season, where Luetge landed another gig as he joined the Boston Red Sox and has been with their AAA affiliate ever since. So far this season, the lefty has pitched very well, posting a 3.02 ERA and 26.7% strikeout rate. Had he been on any other organization, he would've been given an opportunity with the big club, but Boston has so many left-handed relief options that he opted out of his deal and signed with the Cubs. The deal makes a ton of sense, as Drew Smyly is the lone true lefty the Cubs have in their pen right now. Sure, guys like Hector Neris and Mark Leiter Jr. are reverse split guys, but this team does need another lefty, and Luetge could be that guy if the Cubs give him a fair shake. After Luke Little suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, the Cubs were down to one lefty in their pen and have been that way ever since. Still, this team has somehow managed to turn their season around, as they have had the best bullpen ERA in baseball since June 20. To think they have done this with only one lefty makes it much more impressive. If Luetge is going to make it back to the majors, this is the best shot he will have and perhaps his last opportunity to do so. He will most likely be heading to Iowa immdiately to get acclimated with his new team and will then hit the ground running. Considering his AAA numbers this season, you can bet the Cubs will keep tabs on him, and should his performance continue, there is no reason to think he won't be on the MLB roster sooner rather than later.
