Ex-Braves All-Star makes final Cubs contract decision

Former Atlanta Braves All-Star Julio Teheran signed with the Chicago Cubs in April on a minor league deal but after an ugly stint in the Triple-A, he’s opting out of his contract. Via Jon Heyman:

“Julio Teheran is opting out of his minor league deal with the Cubs.”

Before landing with the Cubbies, Teheran was with the New York Mets. That didn’t go well either, compiling a 13.50 ERA in one appearance. The Colombian, who made his MLB debut way back in 2011, isn’t likely to get a big league deal elsewhere. Another minors contract is probably the route he’ll have to settle for.

Teheran spent 2011-2019 with the Braves and became an important arm for them. In 2014 and 2016 he was named an All-Star, compiling a 2.89 and 3.21 ERA, respectively. Overall, Teheran had a 3.67 ERA during his time in Atlanta.

In the winter of 19′, he signed with the Los Angeles Angels and everything went downhill from there. He’s barely pitched in the Majors since then. Stints with the Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers followed, but Teheran didn’t pitch at all in 2022.  The Cubs could’ve definitely used another arm, but Teheran didn’t prove that he was worthy of a call-up after getting lit up in Iowa.

Cubs needed Teheran at the time

When Chicago signed Teheran, both Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon were injured while Kyle Hendricks wasn’t himself. Teheran was once a solid starter who the Cubs saw as a potential piece to fill in when they had health issues. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work out. Plus, Javier Assad and Ben Brown have impressed to lock down spots in the rotation while Shota Imanaga is pitching like a Cy Young candidate. To be brutally honest, it would’ve been difficult for Teheran to get a chance as a starter at Wrigley even if he was dealing in Triple-A.

At 33, time is running out for him to be a regular contributor in the show again. Teheran first needs to pitch well in the minors and perhaps he can earn an opportunity with a ball club dealing with some injuries.

Teheran made this decision on his own. He undoubtedly saw that a chance to get back to the bigs with the Cubbies probably wasn’t going to happen, resulting in him opting out. Teheran’s most logical way of pitching in the Majors again is as a bullpen arm.

The Cubs staff is staying afloat in 2024, owning a 3.89 ERA, which ranks 13th in the MLB. Assad, Imanaga, Brown, and Taillon all have ERAs under three. Imanaga in particular is absolutely dominating, going 5-1 with a 1.86 ERA in 10 starts. If he keeps it up, the Japanese phenom will surely take home the NL Cy Young award.

Chicago is struggling offensively however and have gone just 2-8 in their last 10 contests. Regardless, they’re only 6.5 games behind the Brewers for first place in the National League Central.

The Cubs will finish up a three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon at Wrigley before a quick two-game showdown with the crosstown Chicago White Sox on Tuesday and Wednesday.