Chicago Cubs Rumors: Waiver claim robbery, former closer called up, Javy struggles

2023-09-01 10:46

In today's Cubs rumors, Chicago loses out on the waiver wire, an ex-closer gets called up, and Javier Baez's magic disappears.

Cubs Rumors: Javier Baez's decline makes Cubs front office look like wizards

Years after the Cubs decided to trade Javier Baez to the New York Mets, Chicago's front office has four words for the fanbase: "We told you so."

Baez's Mets stint lasted just one year before he signed a six-year, $140 million deal with the Detroit Tigers. In the second year of that contract, Baez is...definitely not flourishing. He's batting eighth on one of the worst hitting teams in the league with a 57 wRC+ and career-low strikeout percentage of 23.3 percent, according to Fangraphs.

While the Tigers question their decision to give Baez a nine-figure contract, the Cubs can only sit back in their chairs and fold their hands behind their heads. They did good.

Baez, slashing .219/.262/.319 with an OPS of .581, is not measuring up to his worth in Detroit. Dansby Swanson, who came to Chicago on the second-richest deal in franchise history, is measuring up to his worth.

Any Cubs fans who would rather have Baez than Swanson at shortstop right now, speak up.

As sad as it was for Baez to leave Chicago after eight beloved years, Jed Hoyer made the right decision.

Cubs Rumors: Former closer Shane Greene gets promoted from Triple-A

The Cubs called up veteran right-hander Shane Greene on Thursday, a former closer who could take the mound in a pivotal stretch of the season.

Chicago is currently two games ahead of the Giants and the owner of the second wild card; they have a 76.1 percent chance of making the playoffs in 2023.

The 34-year-old spent stints on the Yankees, Dodgers, Braves, and Tigers and owns a career 4.53 ERA.

As ESPN Jesse Rogers notes, the last time Greene started a big league game was in 2016, but he's recorded 67 saves since.

Greene has spent this season as a starter in the minors and is expected to be one of the Cubs' several additions as rosters expand for September.

It's unclear whether Chicago will use him in the doubleheader games against the Reds on Friday. The one-time All-Star has had more experience with closing games in recent history but could add a veteran arm to the Cubs' rotation ahead of the postseason.

Cubs Rumors: No fair! Waiver wire targets Matt Moore, Reynaldo Lopez slip through Cubs' fingers

After the Guardians swiped ex-Angels Matt Moore and Reynaldo Lopez, as well as Giolito Lopez, on the waiver wire, it was revealed that the Cubs had also put in a claim for Moore and Lopez.

WSCR-AM's Bruce Levine said the Cubs, among other unnamed contenders, had tried to snatch those two players off the waiver wire.

Players on the waiver wire go to the team with the worst current record; the Cubs have 71-62 record in the NL Central while the Guardians have a 64-70 record in the AL Central.

Seeing one team get all the top waiver wire targets feels unfair, as many Cubs fans may have been looking forward to retooling their pitching staff ahead of a stretch-run.

Instead, Cleveland gets three solid pitchers to make a last-minute push to the playoffs. The Cubs will just have to make do with who they have, Shane Greene and any other potential spot starters included.