Chicago Cubs sign reliever A.J. Ramos

The Chicago Cubs are trying to improve their bullpen as best they can. A.J. Ramos is the latest to help out. 

The Chicago Cubs have one of the best records in all of Major League Baseball, but they have one glaring weakness, which is their bullpen. Their combined bullpen ERA of 5.68 sits as the fourth-worst in the entire league, and while it’s not a huge deal now, it’s going to be when the games get tougher.

To help stop the bleeding out of the pen, the Cubs have brought in some help in the form of A.J. Ramos, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since the 2018 season. He was with the New York Mets that year and threw 19.2 innings while finishing the season with a 6.41 ERA.

Ramos hasn’t pitched since then due to shoulder surgery that has kept him off the mound. According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the word is that Ramos looks like his former self.

The Cubs need all of the help they can get from their bullpen because it’s been a struggle for them this season. Fortunately, their starting rotation has been one of the best in the league and can go deep into games, but that won’t always be the case.

Chicago could still look to trade for a reliever or two before the deadline on Monday, but Ramos hopefully can provide them with something. He used to be a reliable closer between 2015-17 before the shoulder injury occurred, notching 40 saves in 2016 and making it to the All-Star Game that year.

Ramos turns 34 years old in September and this is likely the last chance he has at redemption in the majors. If he can pitch well for a World Series contender, opportunities will open back up for him and the Cubs would then be armed with at least a few decent relievers in their bullpen for the tight games.

While it’s doubtful Ramos is that same 40-save closer we saw in 2016, he might still have something left in the tank for the Cubs.