Cubs attempt to get leg up on Dodgers-Michael Busch trade by signing former reliever

The trade that sent Yency Almonte and Michael Busch to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for prospects Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope, at least so far, looks like one of those deals that worked out well for everyone.

And, in their latest move, the Cubs are trying to squeeze a little more value out of Almonte, bringing him back on a minor-league deal after outrighting him off the 40-man last fall. The right-hander made 17 appearances for Chicago last season, pitching to a 3.45 ERA and career-best 11.5 K/9 before a shoulder strain ended his season ahead of the All-Star break.

Busch turned in a solid rookie campaign for the Cubs in 2024 — but the sky-high upside of Hope and Ferris could someday turn this deal in the Dodgers' favor long-term. Ferris has been breaking off knee-buckling breaking balls this spring and Hope is projected to be Los Angeles' top prospect by 2027. So, really, no matter what Chicago gets out of this reunion with Almonte, odds are the Dodgers will come out on top down the road.

Dodgers fans are all too well aware that Almonte is the epitome of a feast-or-famine bullpen piece. He spent two years in Los Angeles and the two campaigns couldn't have been more different. In 2022, the right-hander was lights out, making 33 appearances and pitching to a 1.02 ERA. But the wheels totally came off in 2023, evidenced by a 5.06 ERA in 49 appearances — additionally, his H/9, BB/9 and HR/9 all trended sharply in the wrong direction.

Dodgers' return in Yency Almonte trade could be huge difference-maker

The following January, Andrew Friedman packaged Almonte with Busch, an infield prospect with no clear path to regular at-bats with the Dodgers, and bagged the aforementioned prospect pair that has quickly climbed organizational rankings. Ferris, Los Angeles' No. 4-ranked prospect, checks in as MLB Pipeline's No. 70 overall talent and Hope is right behind him at No. 74, despite being in A-ball and just 20 years old.

Neither are expected to make an impact at the big-league level in 2025, which is hardly a surprise, especially for Ferris given the Dodgers' absolutely stacked pitching staff. But when you look at what Almonte has done to this point and what he offers moving forward, it's clear he was never going to be the difference maker Hope or Ferris could end up being in years to come.