CHICAGO CUBSQualifying offers went out yesterday with RHP Jake Arrieta and RHP Wade Davis getting offers from the Cubs. Arrieta, one of the few top starting arms eligible for free agency this offseason, is expected to test the market. Reports consistently state that the ace is seeking a long-term deal.John
CHICAGO CUBS
Qualifying offers went out yesterday with RHP Jake Arrieta and RHP Wade Davis getting offers from the Cubs. Arrieta, one of the few top starting arms eligible for free agency this offseason, is expected to test the market. Reports consistently state that the ace is seeking a long-term deal.
John Lackey, Brian Duensing, Jon Jay, Koji Uehara, Alex Avila and René Rivera are also free agents.
(LIKELY) HEADING TO IOWA
The Cubs claimed RHP Cory Mazzoni off waivers from the Padres yesterday. The 28-year-old has seen limited playing time over the last three seasons due to a right shoulder strain in 2015 and Tommy John surgery in 2016.
Mazzoni has struggled in his limited big league time, collecting a 17.28 ERA (32ER/16.2IP) in 14 games, but shows promise with outstanding work in Triple-A. In 42 games with El Paso from 2015-17, Mazzoni possesses a 2.91 ERA (18ER/55.2IP) with 16 walks and 77 strikeouts. He allowed just two earned run through 20.1 innings in 2017.
RHP Matt Carasiti was also added to Chicago's 40-man roster Monday. The 26-year-old was acquired on June 26 in a trade with Colorado for LHP Zac Rosscup. Carasiti put together a fine Triple-A campaign with a 3.26 ERA (18ER/49.2IP) in 46 games between Albuquerque and Iowa. The righty led the league in saves with 21 and took home PCL mid and postseason All-Star honors.
LHP Randy Rosario was another waiver claim for the Cubs, coming from Minnesota. Rosario, 23, jumped Triple-A this season, debuting for the Twins in June after a promotion from Double-A Chattanooga. He saw action in two games, allowing eight earned runs over 2.1 innings. The lefty went 1-0 with a 4.08 ERA (26ER/57.1IP) for the Lookouts in 2017.
PLAYING CATCH UP
The waiver wire was active in September as the Cubs lost 2017 Iowa Cubs RHP Seth Frankoff (Seattle), OF Jacob Hannemann (Seattle), LHP Jack Leathersich (Pittsburgh) and RHP Pierce Johnson (San Francisco).
However, Hannemann recently found his way back to the Cubs. The outfielder debuted for the M's in September, batting .150 (3-for-20) with one home run and one RBI through 11 games before getting DFA'd again and claimed back by the Cubs on October 26. Hannemann hit .265 (76-for-287) in his first Triple-A stint with Iowa in 2017.
In early October RHP Félix Peña was traded to the Angles for a player to be named later. Pena logged 60 games with Iowa between 2016-17, posting a 4.22 ERA (48ER/102.1IP) with 127 strikeouts. He made his major league debut with Chicago in 2016 and through the last two seasons, went 1-0 with a 4.98 clip (24ER/43.1IP) in 36 appearances.
Infielder Mike Freeman was DFA'd at the end of October after spending the month on Chicago's bench as a backup during the postseason. Freeman cleared waivers and was outrighted to Iowa on November 2. Freeman was a journeyman in 2017, suiting up for three major league teams and three Triple-A affiliates. He hit .306 (79-for-258) in 80 minor league games and .100 (6-for-60) in 35 big league contests.
Check back to www.iowacubs.com for more updates throughout the offseason.
