Mets just handed the Cubs a perfect reunion opportunity in their quest for bullpen answers

Carl Edwards Jr.'s return to the major league level was brief. The New York Mets turned to Edwards last weekend when their bullpen was in need of a fresh arm, but one week later, the experiment is over. The Mets designated Edwards for assignment on Thursday. The move creates a reunion possibility for the Cubs that they may not be able to ignore.

For all the good things that are happening for the Cubs' offense right now, the same can't be said about the bullpen. Daniel Palencia could be back with the Cubs as soon as Friday, but Hunter Harvey, Caleb Thielbar, and Riley Martin remain consequential relievers sidelined with an injury. Martin has been ruled out for the next eight weeks, while Harvey could begin a minor-league rehab assignment in the near future.

Putting the overwhelming amount of injuries to the side, the Cubs seem to be tempting fate with the available arms they do have in the bullpen. Despite returning from the IL earlier this week, Phil Maton very much appears to be a work in progress. The shine of Corbin Martin being a Brad Keller prototype wore off with his last outing against the Padres, and depending on Ryan Rolison to turn into a guy does come with some risks.

At this point, Carl Edwards Jr. checks the easiest box there is.

The Cubs are in dire need of pitching depth. It doesn't help that it's only May. This isn't MLB The Show; it's highly unlikely that Jed Hoyer and Co. can pull off a trade for a high-leverage relief pitcher at this point in the season.

It's not ideal, but the Cubs' front office needs to scour the waiver wire and ask very simplistic questions: Is the pitcher healthy? Do they have MLB experience? If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then the Cubs need to try to bring them into the organization.

Assuming Edwards clears waivers, he has the right to refuse an outright assignment. A case can also be made that the Cubs should just skip that step and put in a claim on their former bullpen staple. Walks are always going to be a part of Edwards' profile; he had four in six innings of work with the Mets. But if he's missing bats, he can be effective. He struck out 11 of the 25 batters he faced during his time with the Mets while only giving up one run.

Like most pitchers available at the moment, there are red flags with Edwards' profile, but the Cubs aren't in a position where they can be selective.

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