Because he's an idiot headcase who the Astros clearly want no part of trusting with meaningful innings in a pennant chase. If they thought he could help he would be here, they don't so he isn't.
He's been nails this year. Why not give him a shot? Sure in the past he's been a bone head. He's turned it around. I'm still fine with Neris though.
I read it was purely a money thing. Cubs were in contention at the deadline (I think) but aren't competing anymore, no need to pay a reliever the balance of his $8.5m salary.
The Cubs were still trying to compete for a WC spot at the deadline and then they collapsed. Regardless, his contract made him worthless because he has an option similar to Pressly’s that becomes a player option for $8.5M next year. The Cubs made sure that wasn’t reached by just cutting him.
It went this? Cubs had playoff dreams and then they did not Cubs waived Neris so his player option would not trigger Other teams passed on Neris off the waiver wire, since they too did want his player option to trigger Neris, after not getting picked off the waiver wire, got his 2024 salary from the Cubs and became a free agent
Exactly. If he's anywhere close to where he was last year, and you have a high-leverage, season-on-the-line game - who do you trust more? Scott or Neris? Scott has unquestionably been better this year. But he's never pitched in a pennant race (I don't believe). Plus, Abreu/Pressly/Hader are going to log A LOT of late season/postseason innings - this team isn't winning games 11-4. So you're going to need arms to help pick up the slack.
Whitley needs to have sustained success for the first time in his career. He would already be up if he didn't have the history of poor decisions and meltdowns in the past. I expect he will get a chance, it just may be to start 2024. As for Neris - not impressed, but he has done it before and he isn't closing.
Excellent to pick up Neris to solidify the pen. Love to see Whitley up as well. Can some team cut a solid OF or 1B as well please?
Since April 25: 3.75 era over 37 appearances, 7 of the 15 earned runs in 2 outings. The other 35 yielded only 8 earned runs. That will work quite nicely.
