The Chicago Cubs have been struggling with poor bullpen performance all season, ranking 19th in the MLB with a 4.25 ERA. They have suffered from the second-most losses in the league and blown 17 save opportunities, making them one of the worst teams in the National League.
Despite their struggles, the Cubs released Carl Edwards Jr., who had a strong 1.85 ERA in Triple-A. This move was surprising for many fans, considering that Edwards had won a World Series with the Cubs in 2016 and was a valuable asset to their bullpen.
After being released by the Cubs, Edwards signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. This will be his second time with the Padres after being traded by the Cubs in 2019. During his previous stint with the Padres, he allowed six earned runs in just 1.2 innings pitched across two games. However, this time around, he is determined to make a comeback and prove his worth after being overlooked by his former team.
Known for his contributions to the Cubs’ championship team in 2016, Edwards posted a 3.75 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched during that season. He also performed well in the playoffs, allowing only two runs in eight appearances.
Now at age 32, Edwards is eager to showcase his skills once again and demonstrate why he was such an important member of those championship teams.
Overall, while it is disappointing that Edwards was not given an opportunity by his former team to address their bullpen issues, we can’t wait to see how he performs for San Diego and whether he can return to form as one of baseball’s top relievers.
