Cubs can relieve themselves of a potential 2025 disaster by playing it smart now

The team's big offseason addition to the bullpen last winter, Hector Neris, has been about as unpredictable as possible in his first season with the Chicago Cubs. Underlying metrics are riddled with red flags - and his unique contract status has loomed over the team all season long.

Neris, 35, signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the team - and that deal also includes a $9 million team option for next season. However, that option converts to a player option if the right-hander makes 60 appearances this year or finishes 45 games. Given where he's at in both those categories here a third of the way through August, the Cubs need to be doing everything they can to make sure that doesn't happen.

If the Cubs somehow sneak back into contention, Craig Counsell will have a hard time not turning to Hector Neris to pitch meaningful innings

Entering this weekend's series against the White Sox, Neris sat at 42 appearances and 30 games finished. As Sahadev Sharma over at The Athletic (subscription required) pointed out in his most recent mailbag, the only way he sees him hitting either of those marks is if the Cubs somehow remain in contention right down to the wire, otherwise, he expects the team to find a way to 'avoid' it vesting.

Chicago has treated the CBT as a sort of pseudo-salary cap and, while Sharma says that won't necessarily remain the case, freeing up dollars is going to be key for Hoyer and the front office given what's at stake heading into 2025. The Cubs have a ton of dead money coming off the books already and there's still a chance Cody Bellinger could opt out (a decision that will determined by how he finishes the season) - but adding more money to that pile would undoubtedly be a win.

Neris has been a roller coaster this year. Walks and control issues continue to plague the veteran and he rarely turns in a clean appearance. Even his own teammates have dubbed him 'Heart Attack Hector' - hardly the type of nickname you want your closer to have.

He's had a quality big league career, pitching big innings for both the Phillies and Astros. But his best years are behind him and the Cubs know this. It's time to do what needs to be done and make sure you're giving innings to young arms down the stretch to evaluate what you have for 2025 - and take your savings and put it to better use in free agency.