Why the Cubs decided to part ways with Héctor Neris

When the Chicago Cubs signed Héctor Neris last winter, the expectation was they were bringing in an effective late-inning bullpen arm who was as durable as they come (he’d appeared in 70-plus games in each of the last three seasons). After seeing the bullpen falter late in 2023 due in part to the overuse of some of their key relievers, Neris would hopefully provide another reliable option to make sure that didn’t happen again.

Initially used as a setup man, Neris later took on the closer’s role, and while he managed 17 saves, his outings often induced some nerves in the fan base.

After Neris blew his fifth save opportunity of the season Friday — a game in which the Cubs managed to pick up the win in extra innings — manager Craig Counsell defended his guy, pointing out that Neris had been pitching “very, very well” (he did post a 1.17 ERA in the 16 outings prior) while acknowledging the tough inning he had that game.

That defense didn’t keep Neris around much longer, as the Cubs have opted to go in a different direction.

The Cubs placed him on waivers prior to Saturday’s game, Counsell said before the Club 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, alerting him of the decision after that contest and talking him through the process. Once he cleared waivers, the 35-year-old was officially designated for assignment Tuesday.

“He understood and was very professional about it throughout the whole thing,” Counsell said.

The Cubs originally signed Neris to a $9 million contract for 2024. The deal included a $9 million team option for 2025 that would’ve converted to a player option had he made 60 appearances (he was at 46) or finished 45 games (33). Parting ways eliminates the option, even if he signs with another team before the end of the year.

Neris’ contract situation didn’t play a role in the Cubs’ decision to let him go, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. The move was a bit of a shock considering his high-leverage role for a team still holding onto small playoff hopes.

But Hoyer said, like his trade deadline focus of making moves that could help in 2024 but kept 2025 and beyond in mind, this move was about getting an extended look at someone they think can factor into the bullpen picture — like the guy taking Neris’ place on the roster, Jack Neely, the team’s No. 18 prospect (per MLB Pipeline).

“We’re at the time of the year I think that [we’re] just really trying to take a look at different guys in different roles and [get] some new guys up here,” Hoyer said. “It made sense to bring up Neely and potentially look at some other guys in different roles in the bullpen.”

“We’re bringing a young player here who’s going to make his first big league appearance, who we think is talented and going to be a part of future teams,” Counsell said. “Hopeful that he can be. We have lost experience, and that’s something that we didn’t replace, I guess. But overall, I think we’ve been pitching well. The group has started to pitch well, and we’ve had some players really step up. We’re hoping we can find another player here that can step up and make an impact and continue to provide some options for the rest of this year and moving forward.”

Neely, the 24-year-old reliever acquired in the Mark Leiter Jr. trade three weeks ago, has had a strong showing since joining Triple-A Iowa. He’s struck out 13 batters while giving up just four hits and a walk, holding opponents to no earned runs (one run total) over six appearances (6 2/3 innings).

The 6-foot-8 righty’s four-seam fastball has averaged 95.6 mph this season (per Statcast), and he pairs that with a slider MLB Pipeline calls “a plus-plus weapon” that’s helped him post high strikeout rates throughout his minor league career.

As a Rule 5 Draft-eligible prospect, the Cubs would’ve had to add Neely to the 40-man roster this offseason regardless. Bringing him up now gives them nearly six weeks to see how he might fit into the bullpen outlook next season.

“Since he’s been in Iowa and since we acquired him, he’s been great,” Counsell said. “The numbers have been outstanding. He’s striking out half the hitters he’s faced. That’s good. So he earned a shot, and he earned his first time here. We’ll get his feet wet here and then see where it goes.”

“Look at his stats in Iowa,” Hoyer said. “He’s obviously pitched well, and I think he’s a guy that he deserves to be up here and get his feet wet in the big leagues.”

As for how the Cubs will fill Neris’ spot at the backend of games, there is no set closer for now, though Counsell said the guys who’ve been pitching in those situations will continue to do so. Porter Hodge got the save Tuesday night. Jorge López has a 0.83 ERA with 19 games with the Cubs and is someone Counsell mentioned specifically.

Obviously, Neris won’t be an option anymore. Though his performance left a lot to be desired — his 23.5 percent strikeout rate and 13.3 percent walk rate were career worsts, and his 1.52 WHIP was too high for comfort — he was a strong clubhouse presence known to help young pitchers learn how to deal with the 162-game grind. That will be missed.

Still, though they are trying to make a push toward the postseason, the Cubs are also looking forward. While Hoyer said getting out of Neris’ potential 2025 option didn’t factor into this decision, it does officially open a spot in next year’s reliever group.

Neely will get the chance to earn his way into that mix over the team’s last 36 games, but regardless, on the baseball side, this was a move that can help make next year’s bullpen picture a little clearer.

“Does it affect this year? Maybe. Does it affect next year as well and the future? Yeah, I think both is true,” Counsell said. “I also think we’ve been pitching well there and we have guys that are pitching well, and it was time to just try to find the next guy that can pitch really well, too.”