Former Highly-Regarded Cubs Prospect Elects Free Agency

Edwin Rios, once touted for his power-hitting prowess, recently entered free agency after a challenging stint with the Chicago Cubs in the 2023 season.

The Cubs signed Rios during the 2023 Spring Training with the hope that he would provide the much-needed power at first or third base.

However, his time in Chicago was marked by limited playing time and struggles at the plate.

In just 34 plate appearances, Rios managed a meager .071/.235/.214 slash line, far from the impactful performance the team had hoped for.

#Cubs 3B Edwin Ríos has elected free agency.

— MiLB-Transactions (@tombaseball29) October 15, 2023

Despite displaying some promise at the Triple-A level, where he posted a .263/.264/.454 slash line in 176 plate appearances with the Iowa Cubs, he was eventually removed from the Cubs' 40-man roster during the season.

This move granted him the opportunity to explore free agency in the offseason, and Rios decided to pursue opportunities with other teams.

Over his five-year career, Rios holds a .205/.292/.465 triple-slash line, with 21 home runs, 45 RBIs, and 42 runs scored across 130 games played.

At just 29 years old, there remains a possibility that he may earn a chance to compete for a bench role with another team during spring training.

While his power potential and past success in the majors might still attract interest from organizations looking for a potential diamond in the rough, a reunion with the Cubs seems uncertain.

Photo Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports