Former Chicago Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay has signed with the New York Mets. Alzolay, 29, was only able to pitch in 18 games for the Cubs in 2024, before an arm injury shut him down in May. He attempted to return, but was eventually shut down and underwent Tommy John surgery in the summer. Alzolay will most likely return until 2026, thus the two-year deal with the Mets.
The right-handed pitcher has been with the Cubs since 2013, when he signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela.
The Mets and RHP Adbert Alzolay agreed to a minors deal, league sources told The Athletic. It’s a two-year deal; Alzolay had Tommy John surgery last year.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) January 24, 2025
I, along with many other Cubs fans, were hoping that the Cubs would eventually work out a deal to retain Alzolay. Despite his struggles last season, he was really damn good in 2023, when Alzolay took over the closer role for the team and was one of the best relievers in the game. Alzolay's career year saw him post a 2.67 ERA in 64 innings with 22 saves and seven holds out of the bullpen.
However, it seems as though Alzolay may have ultimately decided to sign with the Mets because according to Cubs pitcher Justin Steele, the Mets plan to stretch Alzolay back out to be a starter.
It turns out that Steele had the scoop back in December and shared that Alzolay was going to sign with the Mets via a YouTube comment on The Setup Man.
First on it, Justin Steele! https://t.co/zi1HVpaDWp pic.twitter.com/n3j1IU9LHp
— Greg Zumach (@IvyFutures) January 24, 2025
Given the offseason signings for the Cubs in addition to guys like Jordan Wicks, Javier Assad, Ben Brown, plus prospects Cade Horton and Brandon Birdsell at Triple-A, the team probably couldn't guarantee Alzolay innings as a starter once he recovered from Tommy John surgery.
The righty was at one time the top pitching prospect in the Cubs minor league system, but injuries slowed him down and Alzolay was eventually moved to a reliever role. Alzolay made the bulk of his starts in 2021, but struggles against left-handed hitters limited his success and he eventually fizzled out in the rotation with a 5.16 ERA in 106.1 innings.
Alzolay has 27 career starts. As a reliever he's been good, posting a 2.83 ERA with a 27.3 K% in 124 innings.
We'll always have that summer of 2023. Best of luck to Adbert!
To the Wrigley faithful and the true fans that follow me during my journey . Thank you for all the support and love you guys gave me during my journey in the Windy City love you guys with all my heart. I always gave my 100% every time I put the cubbie blue on
— Adbert Alzolay (@adbert29) January 25, 2025
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