The Cubs are releasing veteran reliever Hector Neris, reports ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. The team already passed Neris through waivers without making a formal announcement of the move. He went unclaimed. Neris’ spot on the 40-man roster will be filled by right-hander Jack Neely, whose contract is being selected from Triple-A Iowa. Neely was acquired from the Yankees in the deadline trade sending Mark Leiter Jr. to the Bronx.
Neris, 35, was signed to a one-year, $9MM contract over the winter and has had an up-and-down season in what’ll now be his lone year with the Cubs. His 3.89 earned run average is sound, but Neris has blown five of 25 save situations on the season while sporting career-worst strikeout and walk rates of 23.1% and 13.3%, respectively.
The more prominent factor in the decision to release the right-hander, however, could be a vesting player option that would’ve kicked in had Neris reached 60 appearances or 45 games finished on the season. He’s only appeared in 46 games right now and finished a game 33 times. Neris thus would’ve needed to pitch in 14 of Chicago’s remaining 37 games — a 37% usage rate — or recorded the final out in 12 of them, but if he’d done so he’d have secured a $9MM player option for the upcoming season. Given his shaky performance, the Cubs very likely weren’t interested in allowing that provision to be reached.
While Neris clearly hasn’t had his best season, he’s only a year removed from a sparkling 1.71 ERA in 68 1/3 frames for the Astros. That mark is also deceptive, as benefited from a .219 average on balls in play and 90.5% strand rate that combined to tamp down his earned run average. Metrics like FIP (3.83) and SIERA (3.89) were more bearish, but between Neris’ 28.2% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate, he still had the makings of a solid all-around season. More broadly, Neris’ track record from 2019-23 on the whole is quite impressive. He pitched 297 1/3 innings between the Phillies and Astros, combining for a 3.12 ERA (3.33 SIERA), 30.2% strikeout rate, 9.6% walk rate, 40.1% grounder rate, 0.97 HR/9, 73 holds and 50 saves.
With Neris returning to the open market, he’ll now be available for any team to sign for the remainder of the season. He’ll only cost his new club the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the big league roster/injured list. That sum would be subtracted from what the Cubs are paying him, but Chicago remains on the hook for the bulk of his contract regardless. And, so long as Neris signs with a new organization before Sept. 1 — even on a minor league deal — he can be eligible for that team’s postseason roster. (If he’s not on the 40-man at the time, he’d technically need to be a replacement for an injured player on the postseason roster, but such exceptions happen multiple times quite literally every season.)
As for Neely, he’ll be making his big league debut the first time he takes the mound in a Cubs uniform. The 24-year-old righty was the Yankees’ 11th-round pick in 2021 and has emerged as a legitimate bullpen prospect, brandishing a prototypical fastball/slider combination that’s helped him pitch to a combined 2.42 ERA with a whopping 38% strikeout rate against an 8.5% walk rate in 48 1/3 innings across the Double-A and Triple-A levels with the Cubs and Yanks this year.
MLB.com ranks Neely 18th among Chicago farmhands, while FanGraphs pegs him 22nd. The towering 6’8″, 245-pound Neely sits around 95 mph with his heater — and likely looks faster than that, given the extension his massive frame generates. FanGraphs credits him with a plus (60-grade) slider, while MLB.com’s report tabs it as a true plus-plus (70-grade) pitch — noting the massive whiff and chase rates that Neely generated on the pitch late in the 2023 season.
Neely won’t gain a full year of big league service in 2024, of course, so the Cubs will control him for at least six full seasons following the current campaign. Even if he’s in the majors for good, Neely can’t be arbitration-eligible until the 2027-28 offseason and wouldn’t hit free agency until the 2030-31 offseason. His contract is only just now being selected to the 40-man roster, however, meaning he’ll likely retain a full slate of three minor league option years beyond the current season. As such, future optional assignments could impact his arbitration and free agent timelines. For now, he’ll simply focus on carrying his excellent upper-minors work over to the big leagues and establishing himself as a credible major league bullpen weapon.
WERE FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
And looking thrifty, AKA CHEAP!
It okay to look cheap if it is the smart move, and avoiding $9M for 36 year old Hector Nerris next year is definitely smart.
His ERA is deceptive and so even are his peripherals to an extent. Neris has been nothing short of atrocious all year long.
That’s false. He wasn’t a closer and got forced into it. He had a nice stretch where he pitched well. He will get picked up by a contender and slotted into a better role than what Counsell was doing.
It’s not false. He’s been awful this year. Please don’t defend his performance.
You’re wrong. He’s been terrible all year in every role he’s been put in.
YOU are the one who is wrong.
He has a 2.60 ERA over his last 18 appearances.
Neris’s ERA and FIP don’t scream terrible. That being said, he doesn’t look fantastic either. I wouldn’t say he’s been terrible or atrocious.
I’d take him over Lucas Sims.
There is a reason I nicknamed him “Scare-us Neris” when he was with my Phillies. The Cubs found out why. I had to breakout the Pepto whenever he took the mound. In his few years as primary closer he tied that Phillies all-time record for blown saves.
Funny, my dad and I called him Heart Attack Hector.
Memories of Heart Attack Marmol.
Those were some tense games.
Neris literally used to be a closer… it’s not like he fumbled just because he was sent in the 9th
He closed for the Phillies for years. So I can’t buy the “wasn’t a closer” bit.
Clearly only released because of the pending option in his contract. He’ll be picked up quickly
Correct—he was getting close to those numbers. Easier to release now than play the game of not pitching him in September.
Smart move.
Saves 9 million more bucks on top of the pile that’s already coming off. Smyly, Hendricks, The 20 million dead money bucks, Bellinger(?). I think we’re up to 56 million not counting Bellinger and like 83 without him. That should be enough to get a short term closer and a C. If they trade Tallion maybe they can even get another stud starter. Just hope all the kid pitchers come to ST healthy. This is where Jed needs to be smart. At least smarter than he has been lately.
83M better get more than a catcher and short term closer. Names like Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, and Corbin Burnes come to mind. For 83 I’m sure you can get Alonso and Burnes OR Soto, your closer and a catcher.
They don’t need to trade Taillon, just get in a position that’s hes the #5 (like Hammel in 2016).
You are right—it’s a must that Brown, Wicks, Horton do not fall off the prospect list because they are hurt. Have to admit, Brown is concerning as is Horton at this point.
Hopefully they stay far, far away from Alonso. Thank goodness for Busch. He makes Alonso almost a certainty to sign an albatross elsewhere.
That ability to fill the hole is predicated on Bellinger opting out. If Bellinger opts out you start with Soto at 1, 1a, 1b and the next how many ever you want to fill in, You take Belli’s 30M, Hendricks 14, Smyly 10 and you are almost there. Replace Hendricks and Smyly with a combo of Brown/Wicks/Horton/and other in the minors and your salary outlay is a wash.
Next in line is Alonso.
The Cubs number one need, by far, is getting someone that will hit the ball out of the park.
You cannot really contend with Ian Happ being your leading home run hitter at 28 or something like that. You can’t win relying on three consecutive hits in an inning three or four times in a game. It just doesn’t work like that anymore.
I’m not an Alonso guy on a personal level—but he averages almost 45 home runs, has never been under .800 OPS…..get somebody, anybody, that is going to hit the ball out of the park consistently.
Wow I’m surprised you don’t want Alonso’s declining batting average and power, would you rather have burnes’s declining K/9 on a strasburg type of deal?
Where exactly are you going to play Soto with Suzuki, Happ and PCA here with Caissie, Alcantara and so on? Are you planning on changing the rules so you can play 7 OF’s? Thing about having a dream is there has to be some reality in it.
Is death an option.
I will pass on both.
And I guess the Cubs don’t strike out enough for mike127.that he feels the need to add Alonso. I’m just fine with Busch.
Any team would figure that problem out to fit Soto in. Smart teams don’t do that for Alonso.
So your plan is to torture and maim Suzuki and Happ until they wave their NMC’s? Or better yet play Soto between Happ and Suzuki and watch the other team run around the bases? Do tell?
I was just fine with Josh Rojas as the mariners starting 3rd baseman
Then the slump happened and there is a gaping hole…
Sometimes it’s better to pay for consistency
I’m sure any team can find a spot in their lineup for Soto.
I’m sure any team can find a spot in their lineup for Soto.
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You’re better off finding players for positions with obvious openings.
They’re not going to sign Alonso. Busch is their first baseman of the future. And there is no way on earth Ricketts ever pays what Soto is gonna command. And barring a huge Sept, I don’t think Bellinger will opt out.
You underestimate his agent my friend.
That’s easy, you keep Caissie and Alcantara in triple A barring an injury. Happ in left, PCA in center, Soto in right and DH Seiya. Another option is trading away Happ and opening up another 20+ million off the books, let Caissie play left. I think Alcantara will most likely play most/all of 2025 in Triple A since he was just recently called up.
Guess you missed the part where Happ and Suzuki have NMC’s. It kinda matters.
He could waive it potentially? If not there are options. You don’t block a generational player for good players. Another option is since it’s baseball and a long season, injuries will occur. Keep the players fresh like Seiya/Happ and give them off days. Also you can give Busch days off and let Happ play 1b. The Dodgers didn’t say let’s not sign Ohtani cause we have this Busch kid at triple A who is a top 50 prospect. Also look at the Dodgers, they move Mookie to SS or 2b and have moved others around like Muncy. You sign them then figure it out later when you can sign an Ohtani or Soto type.
Mike, don’t you know that they won’t sign Soto ONLY because the owner is a greedy Republican who just cares about his Wrigleyville real estate empire and not the plight of the team’s fans??
(/s in case it wasn’t obvious to some…)
What does being a republican have to do with the cubs?
Ricketts has had huge payrolls at some point he will spend the big $$$
I think Jed has his flaws, and so does the ownership but most teams don’t break the luxury tax unless they are in a competitive window to win immediately. I also think a lot of fans aren’t very smart and just want any shiny new player that comes along not thinking how it will hurt the franchise 3-5 years from now. I could be wrong, but I think they offered Ohtani a deal that goes against their beliefs cause he’s that special, just like Soto. However Ohtani was never leaving LA. I have a hunch Soto will be offered similar to any other team to stay with the Yankees, and will take that option. I hope I’m wrong though and they make a push for him that he won’t say no to. I don’t want them to sign another Jason Hayward type of contract, even though it’s not my money, cause even billionaires don’t like losing money!
KC needs bullpen help.
He’s also terrible. So, there’s that. Hope your team picks him up so you can find out.
What did Alonso do
Count Neris is horrible!!! No amount of lead is safe. 1 run allowed!! AH AH HAHA!! 2 runs allowed!!! AH AH HA HA.. 3!!! # RUNS ALLOWED!!! AH AH HAHA!!!!
Goodbye and good riddance to one of the reasons the Cubs are having a bad season.
He won’t be missed…
He’s incredibly unreliable as a closer.
Probably headed back to Houston
Doubtful. They know better.
Except he was incredible for them?
Neris on a 1-way ticket to Philly?
Hope not. He hangs too many splitters. He hangs em they bang em
“Neris on a 1-way ticket to Philly?” I hope not. There is a reason DD shipped Neris out and the Cubs have found out why. I doubt DD will be bringing him back. If he does I am stocking up on vodka and pain pills.
The Chicago Cubs: The dynasty that never was. It was a flop.
White Sox are the real team and stadium and section of Chicago. The real Chicago. South side.
Ah yes. The 2024 White Sox. Were they to go an a 36 game winning streak to end the season they’d still finish 30 games under .500. As Mel Allen used to say – “How ‘bout that!”.
Even for a troll you’re dumb.
I think the Sox are already eliminated for 2025.
Lmfao you have a cheap owner, the White Sox won’t do anything until he’s gone
Am I wrong or are decent players being released DFA’d more these past few years? I just don’t remember it happening this much in years past. Hector will surely be picked up by a contending team that needs a middle innings/set up man so I guess it saves the cubbies a few bucks to cut bait
You may be right, but Neris is objectively not a “decent” player.
I dont think so either but I feel like a few border line playoff teams will see him as a decent player that can help them get to the wildcard/playoffs we’ll see
Some team will definitley pick him up as a lower leveraeg arm to deepen their bullpen.
He’s decent, he just needs to be used according to his talent level. He’s no closer at this point in his career.
He will catch on somewhere and may even help but Cubs were smart to cut their losses and avoid being on the hook for ‘25.
Also opens a spot to give Neely a look.
It’s not going to save the Cubs anything because any team that signs Neris now will only owe the league minimum and Neely will get league minimum pay as well.
If he pitched/finished too many games his option for next year automatically kicks in. Cubs are dodging that bullet by cutting him.
Yep you are wrong. Recency bias. No difference from the past.
Teams have been more willing to DFA players to save some money post deadline in recent years.
For example, look at LAA last year
That was the 1st team that made me notice things are changing
are decent players being released DFA’d more these past few years?
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I wouldn’t use the word “decent”. If they were decent, they likely would’ve been traded at the deadline.
I’d say “below average but roster-worthy” might be more apropos. For non-contending teams, sometimes they might be able to get under the cap, or one of the tiers.
Even for a team like the Mets, who are $100M or so over the budget, they have guys like Severino, Quintana, and JD, who are making $1.5-2M a month. If they drop out by 9/1, they can put all three on waivers and maybe save themselves $11-12M, including tax.
That might be couch change for Cohen, but there is no reason not to save when you can.
Decent …roster worthy all the same. You don’t think someone roster worthy is decent????? I mean damn you say they can make an MLB club so they should be decent right?
By “decent”, I mean a mediocre starter caliber. As opposed to bench players or 2nd tier pitchers.
If a team picks him up and he gets in 14 games, does his option kick in still? Would the Cubs have to pay it?
According to Jesse Rodgers on X, no.
Typically those clauses are specific to the signing team, but would depend on how the contract was written, I suppose.
If that was a risk, I’m assuming he wouldve been placed on the “IL” haha
Smart move. The audition for 8th and maybe 9th inning guys for next year can commence. The little I’ve seen of Neely he looks like the real deal. Cubs still should find a short term MLB actual closer for next year. Neris was shaky even on his best days, At least here anyway.
Maybe….Just a maybe the 8th inning guy is somewhere in the organization. But the Closer/9th inning won’t be found. Sure give guys a shot. Nothing wrong with that. But the Closer will come through a trade or free agency. That’s if Jed or a new President of Baseball Operations chooses to do so.
Neely has the makings of a future CL IMO, but I do think it’s highly unlikely he’s handed the keys to the 9th inning by the beginning of next season. Within a few years though I could absolutely see that happening.
The Cubs definitely have a Closer on the team RIGHT NOW. Being a Closer is more than having great stuff. It’s about throwing strikes, Attitude and the ability to shake off bad times. Someone will take the reins. We just don’t know who it will be yet. That’s why I advocate for a 2 year contract for a proven Closer. Even if you have to overpay him a bit to get him for only 2 years. That’s all it will take.
Share your thoughts as to who those players can be. I suppose it’s possible. As we all know bullpens are combustible and filled with unknowns. Amazingly the Cubs current pen gelled into one of the best over the past month or so. And Mason Miller of the A’s seemingly fell from the sky. But I would like to see the Cubs get someone proven in the closer role.
Sure no problem. Hodge, Neely, Arias, Scalzo Jr., Palencia, Little, Nunez, All have the arms to get it done. Seems like 1 of them will evolve. All have closed for their teams at one time or another. It’s different in MLB obviously but all have succeeded before.
That’s just AA and up. Hopefully the Cubs re-sign Miller and Lopez. After Lopez tantrum which is the reason he’s here doesn’t speak well for his calm under fire obviously. Then you have Roberts and Keegan Thompson who could be valuable pieces but probably not Closer material anymore. Wiggins might be one not to mention Horton if they lack starter potential. The arms are there. It’s the head that matters for that job. Sorry got called away before I finished.
An eclectic group for sure. All these guys are like lottery tickets right? But hey, someone eventually wins so we’ll see.
This is like the Duval situation. You can take him out of the closers role without kicking him off the team. Dumb.
It’s all about that option in his contract
The team could easily keep that option from vesting. Not difficult to do.
The guy is a fart in a frying pan.
The fact is this was a Hail Mary by Hoyer, hoping, praying some team would claim Neris and the Cubs would fall under the luxury tax.
The Cubs should have attempted to move both Wisdom and Bote at the deadline when they picked up Paredes.
Cubs still have some time to make some hard decisions (Smyly, Wisdom, Bote) DFA them before they would be ineligible for post season play but I doubt any team would bite on anyone aside from Smyly, possibly Hendricks if the Cubs made him available.
Maybe they tried.
Are Cubs over the CBT threshold?
Yes they are
Nerris gone, Bote and Wisdom gone. Be still my beating heart.
Hector Neris, The Siren!
The Orioles are collecting former Phillies’ closers. Is Neris next? As an O’s fan, I hope not. I still don’t understand why Dillon Tate is buried in Norfolk. He’s had some good years and has to be better than some other options.
Bring him back to Philly Dombrowski
Please let that be sarcasm.
So whos closing for Cubs? Hodge?
Hodge would be my choice.
Lopez
lopez might save for the next 5 weeks, but hodge seems like the closer of the future
I’d like Hodge to consistently pitch the 8th for the rest of the year. Give Neely and Roberts the 7th and let Lopez and Miller split the 9th.
I can’t remember him pitching a clean 9th this season. Too many walks
One thing we learned about Neris during his time in Philadelphia is – don’t let him be the closer. Neris is only effective as a middle reliever/set-up man. As a closer, he’s terrible.
Neris rarely worked a clean inning. Always drama with that guy. I called him “ Makes Me Nervous Neris”. No great loss.
Cubs are highly overrated. Outside of Steele and the prospects, not much there. Starters outperforming periferials. Overrated hitters (bellringer,parades) lol at paying a lot for a manager
Who rated them higher than they are?
Cubs fans,
Bellinger and Paredes are hardly, what’s wrong with the Cubs.
As the standings show, they are a mediocre team. As their run differential shows, they are a little bit better than they’ve played. Thanks in large part to a lack of a reliable closer.
At least they have a solid farm and the resources to turn things around quickly.
But agree Bellinger and Parades are not middle of the order bats on a WS team.
Yankees
1.500+ WHIP? Yikes.
I hope the Wrigley faithful give Javy a standing o and remember just how good he was. They don’t beat the Dodgers in the NLCS without him, thus never winning the WS
You have no worries….Hinch did say Javy will play tonight. The video tribute and the entire evening will be special. Kind of amazing that this is his first time back. They only other must have ticket this season for me is coming up when the Yankees and Rizzo are in town. Hoping he is back in time to get his multiple ovations.
The Cubs would have likely still beaten the Dodgers. I get Baez was “co-mvp” of the series but in truth, the games the Cubs won were not particularly close. The team won with Baez, not because of Baez.
Nice, as always, to see talent traded by Cashman coming up to showcase. I remain confused as to why he still has a job. It’s not like he’s running a tight budget and squeezing out the best he can. He’s buying a few expensive toys, and surrounding his high quality players with under-performers (many on expensive contracts).
He is not a bad player, just has trouble closing. Overpaid? YES! But so are most of the pitchers in baseball. He will be picked up. he is at least a Ham and Egger Plus, on his total career!
He’ll be getting his mail at Fenway Park.
Yo Mr. Crane! Hector is available!!!
Maybe back to Astros for the division title race?
He should have got an endorsement with Kingsford lighting fluid!! He really got torched!!!!
Like Mel Rojas aka senor matchlight
Angels can bring him in why not
Cubs lied it was all about the money
I wonder how this looks to the other players
All about the all-co-hall
Blue Jays please!!!
Poor man’s Alfonseca