Former Cubs trade bust returns to team he made his debut with on minor-league deal

With a crowded outfield picture and looking to push their way into the playoff picture in 2023, the Chicago Cubs sent Nelson Velazquez to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for side-arming right-hander Jose Cuas, in hopes he would help add stabilty to the bullpen down the stretch.

Cuas was solid enough, posting a 3.04 ERA in 27 appearances, but other metrics suggested he was far less effective (4.90 FIP, 5.59 xERA) and, as we all know, the Cubs narrowly missed out on playing October baseball. The 2024 season got off to a rocky start for Cuas and less than a year after acquiring him, Chicago placed him on waivers.

Former Cub Jose Cuas rejoins the Royals, signing a minor-league deal

The 31-year-old did not appear in a big-league game this season, but will get the chance to re-establish himself after signing a minor-league pact to return to Kansas City. The Royals announced the deal, along with the minor-league signing of former Pittsburgh infielder Kevin Newman, this weekend.

Velazquez, for his part, was very impressive with the Royals in 2023, posting an .878 OPS and 132 OPS+ in 147 plate appearances, drawing the immediate ire of Cubs fans. Like Cuas, though, the shine quickly wore off. In 2024, he managed a .640 OPS and 81 OPS+ and he hasn't appeared in a major league game since, even after latching on with the Pirates late this summer.

It's funny how some time lends perspective to trades like this. Even now, there's no path to regular at-bats for Velazquez in Chicago and he hasn't showed he's ready to be a big-league contributor, at least not consistently, since the Cubs moved him. But, at the time, fans were second-guessing Jed Hoyer almost immediately.

Even if Hoyer breaks character and gives another reliever a multi-year deal even after signing Phil Maton to a two-year contract early in the winter, expect plenty Cuas-style additions leading up to Opening Day and even in-season. The Cubs have found a ton of success with these signings in recent years and, although Cuas didn't work out, there's been more good than bad in this department.