3 Cubs players who should be out of the picture in 2024

As the Cubs shifts into a new contention window, change is inevitable.

St. Louis Cardinals v Chicago Cubs
St. Louis Cardinals v Chicago Cubs | Jamie Sabau/GettyImages
2 of 3

3 Cubs players who should be out of the picture in 2024 - #2: Brad Boxberger

Brad Boxberger was lights-out with the Brewers in 2022, making 70 appearances and working to a 2.95 ERA. But injuries have really derailed the right-hander this year with the Cubs, limiting him to just 20 innings of work on the year.

He and Michael Fulmer were supposed to be the veteran linchpins in this bullpen but Boxberger has, by and large, been a non-factor. Fulmer got off to a rocky start but figured things out as the season wore on. Just as he seemed to hit his stride and settle in, though, he hit the IL this month, leaving a big hole in the late inning mix for David Ross.

Boxberger's contract carries a $5 million mutual option for 2024 with an $800K buyout - and given they paid him just $2 million this season, there's no chance Chicago picks up their end of that option. Boxberger will turn 36 in May and given the injuries this year, there are better options out there.

Schedule