Whirlwind Season Ends: Nicky Lopez Elects Free Agency After Unprecedented 2025 Turbulence.vc
The seven-year MLB veteran infielder Nicky Lopez (the main character) has officially elected minor-league free agency on November 6th, marking his final, definitive departure from the Chicago Cubs organization and closing the book on one of the most turbulent, confusing seasons in recent memory.
Lopez’s 2025 campaign was a constant, dizzying cycle of contracts, designations, and opt-outs that saw him bounce between multiple organizations, all highlighting the brutal business of a utility player trying to secure an MLB role.
🌪️ The “Turbulent 2025” Timeline
Lopez’s year was an unprecedented organizational relay race, switching uniforms six times and suiting up for four different MLB organizations in a single calendar year (Angels, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Yankees).
- February – March (Cubs/Release): He initially signed a minor-league pact with the Cubs but was released at the end of Spring Training after losing the battle for a bench spot to other utility players.
- April (Angels): He secured a major-league contract with the Los Angeles Angels, where he lasted about a month, going $\text{0-for-6}$ in four games before being designated for assignment (DFA).
- Late April – May (Cubs/DFA): The Cubs brought him back on another major-league deal. He appeared in 14 games, primarily as a defensive replacement, but was designated for assignment again after hitting a dreadful $\text{.056}$ ($\text{1-for-18}$) at the plate.
- May – July (D-backs/Yankees): Lopez signed minor-league deals with both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees, playing at the Triple-A level for both affiliates before opting out of the contracts for a better opportunity.
- August – November (Cubs – Third Stint): Lopez returned to the Cubs organization for a third time, signing a final minor-league deal, where he remained through the end of the season before electing minor-league free agency on November 6th.
📉 The Cost of Constant Change
The constant churn took a toll on his major league production. Lopez finished the 2025 season with a combined $\text{.042}$ batting average (1 hit in 24 at-bats) between the Angels and Cubs, ending the year with a career-low $\text{.221 OPS}$.
Despite the struggles, Lopez (known for his elite defense that earned him a $\text{53 OAA}$ in the infield since 2021) continued to produce solid numbers in the minors, posting a respectable $\text{.267}$ average across his three Triple-A stops.
By electing free agency, Lopez confirms the end of his relationship with the Cubs and prepares to search for a new organization that can offer him a more stable path back to an everyday major league bench role for the 2026 season.
