The Cubs have released veteran reliever Kelvin Herrera from their alternate site, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune was among those to report. Their 60-man pool now includes 57 players.
Herrera wasn’t long for the Cubs, who signed the former Royal, National and White Sox right-hander to a minor league contract Aug. 6. That came just a few days after the White Sox released Herrera, whom they signed to a two-year, $18MM contract before 2019. Herrera delivered a subpar 6.14 ERA/4.58 FIP with a career-worst 4.03 BB/9 across 51 1/3 innings in his lone full season with the White Sox, though, and after he opened this year with 2 1/3 frames of four-earned run ball with a personal-low 94.3 mph average fastball velocity, the club decided to cut ties.
Despite Herrera’s struggles of late, he shouldn’t have too much trouble finding another low-risk opportunity soon, considering he’s still just 30 and has been quite successful in the majors. Even factoring in his difficulties with the White Sox, Herrera owns a more-than-respectable 3.21 ERA/3.44 FIP with 8.94 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 61 saves and 119 holds in 513 2/3 career innings.
Ring Ring Billy Epps
Hope the royals sign him
I’m a Cub fan. Didn’t know he was a Cub.
It was a “blink-and-you-miss-it” moments.
Posted here Aug 6 with 28 comments…
I guess u r new here and/or not much of a Cubs fan.
Get a life man
Get back in ur cage and scratch yourself!
Guy has had one heck of a career. But he was abysmal last year and so far this year. Don’t know what to make of him but I’d be intrigued if my Mets picked him up.
reclamation project for Chaim Bloom.
I think that many Cubs fans see this is a precursor to Pedro Strop coming back to the Cubs. Pedro was not just a fan favorite but I believe a clubhouse one as well.
I know a lot of people see it, especially with the timing that Strop was DFA’d by the Reds at the same moment that this news came out. We will see about it, but I know he wasn’t very effective last season, but he was injured a lot. If it’s worth it, I’ll be happy to see him back. Always have a soft spot for Stropy.
Wouldn’t be a bad move for the Cubs… other than that he’s walked 6 guys in 2.1 IP… he was otherwise okay in his brief time this season… could definitely be worth rolling the dice on him… especially with his history with the team.
Since when was Pedro Strop a fan favorite? If anything, I’d argue he was under-appreciated. There was always more talk of his hat rather than his performance in Chicago.
Cubs should sign him and let him pitch exclusively to Eloy Jimenez
That didn’t take long. I have to think his career’s about done.
Wasn’t a bad gamble by the Cubs at all. Just didn’t work out. At least they were smart and booted him before he could do any damage for the Cubs. Like I said, it didn’t work out for the Cubs, simply move on. No harm, no foul.
He is only 30-years old though! Granted I was shocked to read that because it feels like he’s been around forever (and he kind of has been… broke into the league at 21) but I’m sure he’s hoping he’s got another few seasons in him.
Always fond memories. Best bullpen ever with the Royals.
Yeah, they changed the game. The way Ned Yost used his bullpen in the 2014 and 2015 playoffs was basically a pre-cursor for the opener and the way bullpen games happen now.
Royals ran him into the ground, he was an incredible pitcher at his peak.
Red Sox should sign him with an option for next season and make him their CL… not much downside and if he can return to form from just a couple years they could wind up with a solid bullpen piece going forward. They really don’t have anyone else in their bullpen (outside of Darwinozen) and anyone else with value (Barnes maybe?) could be on the trade block this week — so giving a shot to a guy who was recently an elite RP who’s still only 30 years old might not be a bad idea. They probably won’t sign him though… especially because he’ll most likely just sign a 1-year deal and that really wouldn’t have any value for the Sox as they clearly aren’t going to compete this year. But if he were willing to sign a 1-year deal with team option for next season… it could potentially make sense.
Your Boston Red Sox can easily sign him. I don’t see any Option year deals coming into play. Kelvin Herrera is probably just looking for an Opportunity to play without locking up longer than he has to. His Track Record prior to 2019 was amazing!!! He has been terrible ever since but he knows if he can have just one more good MLB season, He can land another good deal in Free Agency. So It will likely be a lot of short term deals for him until he strikes Lightning. Who knows though, maybe you could lock him up. I think you have a real shot of getting him this year if your GM wants him. However, He could easily go to the Philadelphia Phillies. Tons of teams need Bullpen help & Kelvin Herrera is probably happy to leave Chicago.
I’m a Sox fan. When I read the Cubs released him, I thought it was a typo. Did not know the Sox let him go. Did not know the Cubs signed him.
Am happy he will not be pitching in Chicago!
Waiting for his cousin Celcius to get to the majors.
He was never on the ML Cubs. He hasnt been the same since 2015
This aged well