The Chicago Cubs could be adding an unexpected name to the trade block.
It's well-known that the Cubs are engaged in league-wide discussions concerning the availability of players like Cody Bellinger, Jameson Taillon, Nico Hoerner, and even Kyle Hendricks.
Now it appears that one of Chicago's veteran relievers could attract considerable trade interest in July, as reported by Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly on Tuesday.
Kelly suggested that 35-year-old right-hander Héctor Neris would benefit a contender in a setup role, implying that teams with World Series aspirations could be giving Cubs president Jed Hoyer a call about Neris.
Neris has displayed incomparable durability for the better part of a decade, and his experience in late-game situations would only add value to the bullpen of a top team.
Kelly pointed out the clear benefits that Neris provides a clubhouse while also clarifying that Neris' numbers this year are sullied somewhat by his role of savior in an awful and unsalvageable Cubs bullpen.
"This may surprise you, but since the start of the 2016 season, the leader in games pitched among relievers is Héctor Neris at 545," Kelly said. "The next closest reliever over that period is Kenley Jansen at 509 ... At his best, Neris was an elite seventh-inning reliever with a nasty splitter, rubber elbow and great clubhouse demeanor for the (Philadelphia) Phillies and Houston Astros."
"Neris has been forced into a more high-leverage role this season in a poor Cubs bullpen and has a 7.02 ERA in 18 appearances that came in save situations. In non-save situations, Neris has a 0.64 ERA across 14 games. ... Neris may not be best suited as a closer, but he's also a better pitcher in high-leverage situations than he demonstrated this year. If a contender acquires him to pitch primarily in the sixth or seventh inning, he'll likely be very effective."
With but a few years left in his career, there's no doubt Neris would welcome an opportunity to win another championship, adding to his 2022 ring earned with the Astros.
The floundering Cubs have little use for the playoff-ready Neris, and Chicago's president Jed Hoyer may be able to goad a contender into offering up a decent return for Neris.
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