Roster Move: Cubs sign standout reliever Hector Neris |
A huge move for the Northsiders.
The Chicago Cubs have signed veteran reliever Hector Neris to a one-year deal worth $9 million with a $9 million 2025 club option. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the $9 million option turns into a player option at 60 games. The total maximum that incentives could reach is as high as 23.25 million. The deal is pending a physical before it becomes official. Reportedly, Neris was seeking a three-year deal in free agency. Neris was one of the top relievers on the market who had a 1.71 ERA in 68.1 innings last season. He generated a .171 BAA, .211 wOBA, and a 42.2% whiff rate in 2023. Across his 546 career games in 10 seasons, Neris has gone 33-36 while posting a 3.24 ERA. He's walked 199 men compared to 676 strikeouts across 541 1/3 innings of work. He is a high-leverage pitcher that should fit well at the back of the Cubs bullpen. CubsHQ's analysis of Neris on Friday: Neris has been a very reliable relief pitcher over the past decade, breaking into the league with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2014, but it has been the back end of his career where he has thrived, especially with the Houston Astros the past few seasons. Across his 546 career games in 10 seasons, Neris has gone 33-36 while posting a 3.24 ERA. He's walked 199 men compared to 676 strikeouts across 541 1/3 innings of work. What started as a middle relief role for Neris has transformed into one of the better closers in the game, as Neris is the definition of a lockdown guy. He has registered 89 career saves, with 28 coming in 2019 and 26 in 2017. Those were his two best years saves-wise, but he is far more than that, as you could make the case for him being one of the best setup men in the game. The splitter is from Hector Neris is nasty. It generated a .171 BAA, .211 wOBA, and 42.2% whiff rate in 2023. Neris ➡️ North Side The Cubs are signing RHP Héctor Neris, per reports. pic.twitter.com/tM8B2aA5k5 Según varios reportes, Héctor Neris acordó con los Cubs de Chicago. pic.twitter.com/wyvz95zxsm Rankings for new Cubs late-inning reliever Hector Neris since 2016: New Cubs reliever Hector Neris has that 🔥pic.twitter.com/ovuRuzbXIM
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The free agent reliever has reportedly signed with the Chicago Cubs. pic.twitter.com/bglP4warg5
500.0 IP (1st in MLB)
513 Games (1st)
7.3 WAR (14th)
3.20 ERA (81st)
21.5 K/BB (17th)
.208 AVG against (21st)
