Cubs have obvious opportunity with former Giants pitcher weighing opportunities

The Chicago Cubs have stressed that trades of consequence won't happen until closer to the trade deadline, suggesting that the current focus in on internal options and smaller moves. The Cubs have backed up those words, seemingly taking a look at any pitcher that becomes available, and that could point them in the direction or former San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Gregory Santos.

Santos once was on the ascent toward becoming one of the better high-leverage relief pitchers in the American League. With the Chicago White Sox in 2023, Santos posted an ERA of 3.39 across 60 appearances. With a fastball in the upper 90s, there was plenty to like with Santos' profile.

Since then, Santos has seen injuries wipe away that hope. A bicep strain and lat strain limited Santos to just 16 appearances with the Seattle Mariners over the past two years, and his latest opportunity was with the Giants.

There was a dip in velocity, still hovering around 96 MPH, but the injuries have turned him into a work in progress. In five innings pitched with the Giants this season, Santos gave up five runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks. Of 22 batters he faced, he only struck out one.

Not terrible, but not a good enough strikeout-walk ratio to justify him keeping spot in the Giants' bullpen. He was outrighted a few days ago, and has since elected free agency. Francys Romero reports that there are several teams attempting to sign Santos, and it feels like the Cubs are probably one of those teams.

Gregory Santos is far from perfect, but that might not matter to the Cubs right now

As with any pitcher the Cubs consider bringing in, Santos isn't without questions. Between the dip in his velocity and regression with his command, there may be some fine-tuning needed. Having said that, Santos' velocity is the very thing the Cubs lack across their entire pitching staff.

It's also worth mentioning that Santos does have one minor-league option remaining. In a perfect world, the Cubs sign him to a minor-league deal with the hope of tweaking his approach, and then he becomes an option for the bullpen in the coming weeks. Though, with "several teams" attempting to sign him, it may take a big-league deal to get to the finish line.

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