Forgotten former Cubs reliever keeps hanging around, signs deal with the Red Sox

With the Chicago Cubs looking to shake off that infamous World Series hangover, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer pulled the trigger on a trade in July 2017, sending Jeimer Candelario, Isaac Paredes and cash to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for catcher Alex Avila and left-handed reliever Justin Wilson.

Wilson spent the next year-and-a-half in Chicago, making control-plagued 94 appearances for manager Joe Maddon. His 6.5 BB/9 during that stretch checks in more than two full walks higher than his career average and those shortcomings certainly didn't do him any favors with the fanbase.

Since then, he's bounced around the league quite a bit, pitching for the Mets, Yankees and Reds in recent years. After a 5.59 ERA in 60 appearances last season with Cincinnati, I wondered if this might be the end for the former fifth-round pick. But, despite his struggles, the 37-year-old will be back in 2025 after signing a one-year, $2.25 million deal with another $750K in potential incentives.

If you dig in on the numbers a little more, it's not surprising to see him get a look from Boston. He averaged north of 95 MPH on his heater after returning from Tommy John this year and his numbers at Great American Ballpark, one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the league, did him zero favors.

If you were paying attention at the start of this article, you no doubt noticed the name of one of the players the Cubs sent to Detroit to land Wilson back in 2017: Isaac Paredes. Yes, the very same Paredes Chicago acquired at the deadline from Tampa Bay this summer and, as things currently stand, the projected Opening Day third baseman for the Cubs.

It just goes to show everything is connected in one way or another. A trade most folks don't even remember from more than seven years ago, somehow tied to the Cubs even today. Here's to wishing the best for Wilson in Boston next season.