Héctor Neris reportedly signing with NL contender

For the second time this week, a long-time Philadelphia Phillie is joining an NL Central team that has playoff aspirations in 2024.

Former Phillies reliever Héctor Neris has agreed to a one-year/$9 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, according to ESPN‘s Jeff Passan. The deal includes an option for 2025, which Passan hears becomes a player option if Neris appears in 60 games this upcoming season. Neris can make up to $23.25 million over the next two years if the option is exercised and all incentives are hit, per Passan.

Chicago seemingly made out pretty well in this deal, as Neris is coming off a two-season run with the Houston Astros where he posted a 2.69 ERA and 3.10 FIP across 141 games. He was, of course, part of the Astros team that defeated the Phillies in the 2022 World Series. And for whatever trials Neris had during his eight seasons with the Phillies, he has the most appearances (513) of any reliever in baseball since the start of the 2016 season.

Neris will likely be a set-up man for Adbert Alzolay, who had 22 saves in 25 attempts a year ago. He also will be reunited with former Phillies teammates Mark Leiter Jr. and Drew Smyly in Chicago’s bullpen. The Cubs still have to decide whether they will ultimately bring back former NL MVP Cody Bellinger or not, but with Craig Counsell in as manager, this is clearly a team that anticipates contending in 2024.

To reach the postseason, the Cubs may have to usurp the Milwaukee Brewers, Counsell’s former employer, and win the NL Central. The Brewers got quite a bit better this week when they inked former Phillies slugger Rhys Hoskins to a two-year/$34 million deal, a pact that includes a player opt-out after 2024 and a vesting option for 2026.

Neris is also the second notable former Phillies reliever to sign a free-agent deal this week. David Robertson agreed to a one-year deal with the defending World Series Champion Texas Rangers this week, a pact that Passan reported is worth between $11 and $12 million.

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