The Cubs Bullpen Problems are making another move in hopes of stabilizing their inconsistent bullpen — and this time, they’re turning to someone with a familiar face from the other side.
A Surprising Reunion: Génesis Cabrera Is Now a Cub
After being designated for assignment by the New York Mets earlier this week, Génesis Cabrera has found a new home — on the North Side of Chicago. The move might raise a few eyebrows among Cubs fans, especially considering that Cabrera spent the first five and a half seasons of his MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals.
That’s right — one of the team’s longtime rivals is now wearing the blue and white.
For fans who remember the many tense matchups between the Cubs and Cardinals over the years, seeing Cabrera in a Cubs uniform might feel like a strange twist of fate. But in baseball, today’s enemy can quickly become tomorrow’s teammate — and in this case, the Cubs are hoping he’ll be part of the solution to their late-inning struggles.
Why Cabrera Makes Sense for the Cubs
Cabrera joins the Cubs at a time when the team is looking for reliable arms out of the bullpen. With Craig Counsell leaning heavily on closer-by-committee options like Daniel Palencia, Brad Keller, and Drew Pomeranz, the club clearly needs more depth.
This isn’t the first time the Cubs have taken a chance on a pitcher in a similar situation.
Last season, Tyson Miller was DFA’d by the Seattle Mariners before being picked up by Chicago. He went on to become one of the most dependable relievers in the pen. Now, the hope is that Cabrera can follow a similar path.
In six appearances with the Mets this season, Cabrera posted a 3.52 ERA while consistently throwing his fastball in the mid-to-upper 90s. That kind of velocity could bring some much-needed punch to a Cubs bullpen that’s been missing a bit of bite lately.
What This Means for the Roster
With the addition of Cabrera, it’s likely that Brooks Kriske will be the corresponding move off the roster. While Kriske had moments of effectiveness earlier in the year, the team seems ready to give Cabrera a shot in high-leverage situations.
It’s also worth noting that the timing of this move makes sense. As June approaches, teams begin to look outside the organization for help, especially if internal options aren’t delivering consistent results.
Jed Hoyer and the front office appear to be taking that approach as well. With Porter Hodge sidelined due to an oblique strain and not progressing as hoped, the team is exploring every avenue to shore up the back end of the bullpen.
Can a Former Foe Fix What’s Broken?
There’s no guarantee that Cabrera will be the answer. But what he brings to the table is experience, velocity, and a fresh perspective. He’s pitched in high-pressure games, faced top hitters, and shown flashes of dominance.
If the Cubs can get him into a role where he thrives — whether as a setup man or situational lefty — it could pay dividends down the stretch.
And let’s not forget, sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery to reignite a player’s career.
So while it may seem odd to see a former Cardinal in a Cubs jersey, the bigger picture is clear: the Cubs are trying everything they can to fix their bullpen issues. If that means embracing a little irony along the way, so be it.
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