Cubs make smart move bringing reliever Yency Almonte back on a minor-league deal

Per ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the Chicago Cubs are reuniting with right-handed reliever Yency Almonte on a minor-league deal in a move that further bolsters an already deep mix of bullpen arms.

Almonte, 30, pitched in 17 games for the Cubs last year, working to a 3.45 ERA, 3.36 FIP and 1.09 WHIP to go along with 20 strikeouts and eight walks, while holding hitters to a .158 batting average (.199 xBA) in just 15 2/3 innings. He was part of the Michael Busch trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason that sent prospects Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris to LA.

Last season was cut very short for him when he had season-ending shoulder surgery. Considering the good work he did, it was a tough loss for the Cubs bullpen. After a rough fourth appearance against the Rockies in awful weather in which he gave up three runs in a third of an inning, he pitched to a 1.32 ERA, 1.92 FIP, struck out 19 hitters and held hitters to a .089 average over his final 13 2/3 innings before the injury. His efforts had earned him regular appearances in the seventh and eighth innings as the bullpen was churning through guys early in the season.

Almonte leaned mostly on a sinker and sweeper last year, also mixing in some cutters, four-seamers and an occasional changeup. He generated a 58.8 percent whiff rate on his sweeper (.053 batting average against) and could pump his fastball and sinker around 93-94 MPH.

With Hope and Ferris drawing rave reviews with their new organization out west, a bounceback year from Almonte would at least help lessen the sting, along with another strong showing from Busch. The Cubs' first baseman put together an underappreciated rookie season on both sides of the ball and has been off to a scorching start this spring, going 11-for-22 (.500) in Cactus League action.

The 30-year-old has had an up-and-down career as he's bounced back and forth between good years and more forgettable ones. Overall he is a 4.44 ERA, 4.41 FIP, 1.305 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 pitcher across 223 career innings. He has some solid stuff and an organization cannot have enough depth. If he is healthy, he'll be a great piece to have when the Cubs need to turn to Iowa for an extra arm. As of now, it's like the Busch trade is back to being complete again with all parties now part of the organization they were sent to last offseason.