The Cubs are bringing back free agent reliever Carl Edwards Jr. on a minor league contract, reports Robert Murray of FanSided (X link). He’ll be in MLB camp as a non-roster invitee.
Edwards returns to the organization with which he made his MLB debut in 2015. The former Rangers draftee was dealt to Chicago as a prospect in the 2013 deadline swap sending Matt Garza to Arlington. Edwards moved to the bullpen by the time he got to the big leagues.
The lanky right-hander opened his MLB career with a few solid seasons on the North Side. While he only made five appearances in 2015, he pitched to a 3.75 ERA over 36 outings the following year. Edwards collected a World Series ring as part of the curse-breaking championship club. He continued pitching well over the next couple seasons, posting a sub-3.00 ERA in consecutive years from 2017-18.
Edwards struggled early in the 2019 campaign. That kicked off a nomadic stretch of his career. Chicago dealt him to the Padres at the deadline. He landed with the Mariners briefly in 2020 and made cameos with the Braves and Blue Jays the next season. A minor league deal with the Nationals during the lockout set the stage for Edwards’ best work in a few years.
He made the MLB roster by the middle of May. He pitched well enough to hold that spot all season, eventually logging 62 innings with a 2.76 ERA. The Nats tendered him a $2.25MM contract for his last year of arbitration. He was reasonably effective when healthy but limited to 32 appearances. Edwards had worked to a 3.67 ERA across 31 2/3 frames despite a subpar 16.9% strikeout rate and an alarming 12% walk percentage. Those peripherals likely would’ve muted trade interest at the deadline regardless, but a late June diagnosis of shoulder inflammation took a trade firmly off the table.
Edwards would spend the rest of the season on the injured list. He attempted to rehab in August but was diagnosed with a stress fracture after feeling continued shoulder soreness. He surpassed six years of MLB service and hit free agency at season’s end.
With the injury cutting short his ’23 campaign, he’ll now have to work his way back to an MLB roster. His fastball velocity was down slightly last season. The heater sat at 93.5 MPH on average, a little below his typical 94-95 MPH range. It’s possible he regains an extra tick or two if he’s able to put the shoulder pain behind him.
The Cubs had a league average relief group in 2023. Adbert Alzolay, Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter Jr. are locked into season-opening roles, while lefty Drew Smyly seems ticketed for long relief after struggling as a starter last year.
Chicago recently acquired the out-of-options Yency Almonte from the Dodgers, suggesting he’ll secure an Opening Day spot. Pending further acquisitions, that leaves two or three jobs up for grabs among the likes of José Cuas, Daniel Palencia, Keegan Thompson and swing types like Hayden Wesneski and Javier Assad. Edwards joins Colten Brewer as non-roster veterans in camp.
BaseballBrewTown
Wow
refugee
You wanted action from the Cubs? You got it.
settledownitsjustagame
Somewhere along the way this man lost his confidence. He has great stuff. Might be a great pick up if he can find that magic again.
Sheep8
Probably was when he was on the mound with 2 outs and realizing he could close out the cubs World Series…and he didn’t!
Not saying I can’t blame him for realizing he had 108 years on his back at that moment!
Blackpink in the area
Cardinals just signed Jim Hardee’s.
Take that Cub fans……
King123
Just heard the Reds just took a shot on Wendy Thomas.
Lloyd Emerson
Breaking news, the Dodgers have signed Ronald McDonald to a 10-year deal, with roughly 2/3 of the money being deferred until after the next time they bring back the McRib.
Bart Harley Jarvis
Interesting story, I was just reading the other day in The Onion that Chick-Fil-A had recently converted to Islam.
sergefunction
Jerry Reinsdorf just changed his team’s name to the Chicago White Castles.
Jimmy Fitzsimmons
El Gallo Loco to the Nats
Coachcooper73
We are cooking now. I want Mark Prior not the pitching coach. The pitcher.
NicoHoerndawg
@Coop- Lolololol!!!! It’s comments like this is why I went right past the not worth reading article. We all know who Carl is. I like him and have fond memories of him running around with the W flag. Poor kid kinda crumbled under the pressure. Honestly, if Hotovoy can squeeze the last ounces of his potential out of him, it’s a great signing, lol if he even can earn the promotion to the big league roster for Tommy to “work his magic.”
Either way I appreciated your comment.
swanhenge
He’s had flashes of pretty goodedness. Worth a shot
Don Zimmer
My thoughts also. If healthy, we might have us something here. Dude was an asset for us before the injuries started.
GooseGoslinGuy
His control was a problem during his last stretch with the Nats. Couldn’t get the ball over in clutch situations. But maybe the shoulder was the problem.
Unclemike1525
I hope they signed him so he can retire as a Cub tomorrow. Right?
CCooper8920
Minor league deal; worth a shot and good pickup
Gmaytag
No harm, no foul…take a flyer on a minor league deal. He looks great in small spurts.
spudchukar
Dude if you are elated about a pitcher who is good in spurts, then go with your optimism.
Don Zimmer
Unnecessary.
Curveball1984
Rich Hill next?
Rob Schumann
Jake Arrieta would be my guess.
rememberthecoop
No thank you.
PutPeteinthehall
The string bean slinger returns.
DarkSide830
Not like the prospects turned out grat, but CHC did get a heck of a return in prospect capital in that Garza trade.
deGrom/Langford Texas Ranger
I was crazy about him as a prospect.
ray1
Bullpen now set. 3rd base next,
Salzilla
Surprised it’s a minor league deal. Sure he was injured, but he wasn’t terrible last year.
deGrom/Langford Texas Ranger
Same here
Chi Guy
Cubs are now in what inning 5 of their offseason according to Jed?
holycow16
Hope he has a strong spring!
Go Cubs Go!!
la verdad
Get ready Cub fans, Benedict Counsell will be handing him the ball for the 7th inning 2 out of 3 games until late summer, which is when Edwards’ arm will blow out from overuse. Enjoy the mismanagement!
egrossen
Getting the gang back together! Next up: Pedro Strop!
PaulyMidwest
Love this as a low risk flyer. Now sign Stanek or Brasier and start working on signing the last impact bat and we are done.
thefaithfulfriar
He’s on a mission from God