The Chicago Cubs delivered one of the most eye-catching transactions of the offseason last week when they outbid the Boston Red Sox to sign All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million contract.

That signing immediately reshaped the Cubs’ infield, injected star power into their lineup, and sent a strong signal to fans and rivals alike that the organization is aggressively pushing toward championship contention.

However, while Bregman’s arrival dominated headlines and social media discussions, the Cubs quietly completed another transaction involving a former Red Sox player that attracted little public attention.

That under-the-radar addition came in the form of right-handed relief pitcher Yacksel Ríos, who signed a minor league free-agent deal with Chicago after recently spending time in the New York Mets organization.

The signing was first reported by journalist Francys Romero of BeisbolFR, who shared the news Saturday, noting that Ríos is represented by the MAS+ Agency and continues his persistent pursuit of a lasting major league opportunity.

Ríos, now 32 years old, has logged major league service time with five organizations, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland Athletics between 2017 and 2023.

While his name may not register among casual fans, his professional journey embodies resilience, persistence, and a continuous drive to remain relevant within an unforgiving professional sports landscape.

The Cubs completed the signing during their annual Cubs Convention, a three-day offseason celebration that brings together players, executives, alumni, and fans for interactive panels, meet-and-greets, and community engagement.

This year’s convention carried added emotional significance, featuring a reunion of the Cubs’ iconic 2016 World Series championship team, which ended a historic 108-year title drought and permanently altered the franchise’s identity.

With nostalgia, star power, and championship memories dominating the weekend’s narrative, it became understandable that Ríos’ signing slipped largely beneath the radar of both fans and media.

Yet for Ríos, the opportunity likely carries profound personal meaning, potentially representing his final chance to establish himself once again at the major league level after years of uncertainty, injury setbacks, and roster turnover.

Born in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, Ríos was selected in the 12th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, beginning a professional journey that has now spanned more than 15 years.

From the outset, Ríos demonstrated a powerful right arm, showcasing a fastball that frequently reached the upper 90s, paired with a developing breaking ball that provided promise for bullpen effectiveness.

However, like many pitchers navigating the minor leagues, his ascent was marked by inconsistency, injuries, and constant competition, forcing him to adapt mentally as much as physically.

Ríos finally reached the major leagues in 2017, debuting with the Phillies and immediately flashing his raw potential, though his tenure remained brief as roster adjustments quickly followed.

Subsequent seasons saw Ríos move between organizations, including stints with the Pirates and Mariners, as teams searched for bullpen depth while he fought to secure a more permanent role.

The most notable chapter of his career unfolded in 2021, when he joined the Boston Red Sox after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners organization in a modest cash transaction.

At the time of the trade, Ríos had thrown just three major league innings that season, making Boston’s decision to purchase his contract a calculated gamble on upside and arm strength.

Two days after the acquisition, Red Sox manager Alex Cora, himself a native of Puerto Rico, entrusted Ríos with a high-leverage opportunity against the Atlanta Braves.

With the game tied 6-6 in the sixth inning, Ríos faced only one batter, former number one overall draft pick Dansby Swanson, retiring him to escape the jam and preserve Boston’s momentum.

The Red Sox ultimately won the contest, awarding Ríos his first victory of the season, an early highlight that boosted confidence and solidified his place in the bullpen rotation.

Over the course of that summer, Ríos logged 24 1/3 innings across 20 appearances, compiling a respectable 3.70 ERA and contributing meaningfully to Boston’s successful postseason push.

His ability to attack hitters, generate swing-and-miss stuff, and maintain composure in pressure situations earned praise from teammates and coaches throughout that campaign.

Yet, despite his effectiveness, roster constraints and strategic adjustments eventually led Boston to option Ríos to Triple-A Worcester in mid-August before designating him for assignment five weeks later.

That sudden demotion marked another emotional setback in a career already defined by instability, forcing Ríos once again to reassess his professional trajectory.

Since departing Boston, opportunities at the major league level have been scarce, as Ríos has appeared in only three big league games, all coming with the Oakland Athletics during the 2023 season.

During that year, he also represented Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, competing on an international stage that briefly rekindled hopes of a sustained MLB return.

In January 2024, the New York Mets signed Ríos to a minor league contract, offering him another chance to rebuild his value and regain momentum within a competitive organizational structure.

Unfortunately, injuries soon intervened, limiting his availability and drastically reducing his innings, a familiar frustration that has consistently hindered his career progression.

Across two seasons in the Mets farm system, Ríos spent much of his time on the injured list, disrupting rhythm, delaying recovery, and complicating his quest to earn meaningful evaluations from coaching staffs.

Despite these challenges, Ríos managed to post a solid 3.30 ERA over 30 Triple-A innings in 2024, demonstrating that his arm strength and competitive edge remained intact when healthy.

However, a late-June injury abruptly ended that momentum, sidelining him for the remainder of the season and nearly all of 2025, as prolonged rehabilitation became necessary.

His eventual return came through low-minor rehabilitation assignments before finally reaching Triple-A again in mid-September, a testament to both physical resilience and mental perseverance.

Now, presumably healthy, Ríos enters the Cubs organization seeking not just innings, but renewed belief, hoping to capitalize on any opportunity that arises through performance, consistency, and reliability.

According to MLB Trade Rumors analyst Anthony Franco, Ríos is expected to serve primarily as bullpen depth for Triple-A Iowa, providing the organization with a hard-throwing relief option.

While that role may lack glamour, it remains critically important, as modern MLB seasons demand extensive pitching depth due to workload management, injury risk, and performance fluctuations.

For the Cubs, acquiring Ríos represents a low-risk investment in a veteran arm capable of filling emergency roles while mentoring younger pitchers navigating the complexities of professional development.

Chicago’s bullpen depth has fluctuated in recent seasons, making such signings valuable insurance policies capable of stabilizing minor league pitching staffs and preserving organizational flexibility.

Additionally, Ríos’ extensive experience across multiple franchises provides him with a unique perspective that can benefit both clubhouse culture and pitching instruction within the Cubs’ system.

For Ríos, the opportunity extends beyond statistics, offering a chance to reclaim professional relevance and write a new chapter in a career that has rarely followed a linear path.

The Cubs’ willingness to provide that platform aligns with their broader philosophy of blending established stars, such as Bregman, with undervalued veterans and developing prospects.

This approach reflects a deeper organizational commitment to roster balance, sustainability, and adaptability, especially as the franchise transitions from rebuilding to legitimate postseason ambition.

Within that framework, Ríos becomes more than a minor league signing, embodying the belief that perseverance and preparation can still yield meaningful opportunity.

As spring training approaches, his performance will determine whether his journey continues on major league mounds or remains anchored within developmental settings.

For now, the signing offers both hope and urgency, reminding players and fans alike that baseball careers often hinge on fleeting moments, unexpected chances, and relentless determination.

While headlines will continue to spotlight marquee acquisitions like Bregman, stories such as Ríos’ provide deeper insight into the human dimension of professional baseball.

In that contrast lies the essence of the sport, where superstars and fringe veterans share equal commitment, ambition, and belief, each chasing excellence through vastly different paths.

For the Chicago Cubs, those diverse journeys converge toward a singular objective, constructing a roster capable of delivering both immediate success and enduring organizational growth.