5 Chicago Cubs players in their final month with the team

Jorge Lopez has pitched his way into some attractive free agent offers

After tossing his glove into the stands coming off the mound in his final appearance with the New York Mets, things didn't look great for Jorge Lopez. But after latching on with a Cubs team that was in dire need of bullpen help, don't be surprised at all if he lands a multi-year deal in free agency.

The right-hander has worked to a 2.19 ERA with the Cubs entering action Tuesday and, still just 31, there's little reason to doubt his tank is anywhere near empty. A shutdown reliever with Baltimore just two years ago, Chicago seems to have helped Lopez tap back into something that allows him to thrive on the mound.

He's kept the ball on the ground and relied on the defense behind him to get outs, cutting his hard-hit rate year-over-year by more than six percent in the process. Maybe the two sides reunite in free agency, but I believe he's going to find a spot on a contender more easily than some may think.