It's been more than a decade since the Stringbean Slinger, Carl Edwards, Jr., made his big-league debut as a wiry 23-year-old reliever for Joe Maddon's Chicago Cubs. Now heading into his age-34 season, the right-hander will look to break camp with the New York Mets after signing a minor-league deal with the club on Monday.
The deal, which includes an invite to big-league spring training, allows the former 48th-round pick to continue his career as a no-risk pickup in Queens. It's the type of offseason move every team makes, but Cubs fans are particularly familiar with it given how Jed Hoyer has built his bullpen in recent years.