Home Baseball His departure from the Yankees’ bullpen is accompanied by the signing of Hector Neris to the Chicago Cubs

His departure from the Yankees’ bullpen is accompanied by the signing of Hector Neris to the Chicago Cubs

Baseball — 01/28/2024

The latest reliever to Һit the market was Hector Neris, a right-hander who, according to The Post’s Jon Heyman, revealed Saturday that he had agreed to a one-year, $9 million agreement with the Cubs.

The 34-year-old had conversations with the Mets and the Yankees, but neither team was serious about signing him despite his stellar performance with the Astros last season.

If Neris makes 60 appearances this season, the $9 million option for 2025 becomes a player option as part of the deal.

In free agency, Neris becomes the latest veteran reliever to sign a deal. The class’s top pick, Josh Hader, went to the Astros, while former Met and Yankee David Robertson went to the Rangers, Robert Stephenson to the Angels, and Aroldis Chapman to the Pirates.

Based on what Heyman has heard, the Yankees are still on the Һunt for Phil Maton and Ryan Brasier. They are also open to the idea of reuniting with left-handers Wandy Peralta and Keynan Middleton.

The Mets are reportedly considering Peralta as well.

While playing for the Astros in 2023, Hector Neris posted an ERA of 1.71.

Since being traded from the Giants to the Bronx in 2021, Peralta, who is 32 years old, has done a good job pitching for the team.

After being traded to the Yankees from the White Sox in the middle of last season, the 30-year-old Middleton’s performance improved.

Neither of these deals will likely cost as much as the nine to twelve million dollars that have been part of the most recent one-year deals or the ninety-five million dollars that Hader received from the Padres after his comeback season.

The Yankees have been masters at making the most of relievers who have struggled in other leagues.

Pitching coach Matt Blake helped not only Peralta but also closer Clay Holmes and pitcher Ian Hamilton.

Along with infield prоspect Trey Sweeney, they acquired minor league infielder Jorvit Vargas and 28-year-old left-handed pitcher Victor Gonzalez in December’s trade with the Dodgers.

Michael Tonkin, Austin Adams, and Jorge Lopez are the minor leaguers whom the Mets have acquired.