The Cubs have designated righty Joe Nathan for assignment, per ESPNChicago.com’s Jesse Rogers (via Twitter). His roster spot will go to outfielder Jorge Soler, who was activated after a long DL stint.
[Related: Updated Cubs Depth Chart]
Nathan, 41, had only just returned to the majors after a long road back from Tommy John surgery at an advanced age. He signed a major league deal with Chicago during the season, finishing his rehab and then making three scoreless appearances, posting four strikeouts against two hits and two walks in two innings. Nathan has checked in with an average 91.5 mph four-seamer, which is just about where he sat in his last full season (2014).
The veteran has long been a late-inning presence, most recently as the Tigers’ closer. He owns a 2.88 career ERA over 919 innings, with 9.2 K/9 against 4.1 BB/9 in his lengthy run at the major league level. When Nathan blew out his ulnar collateral ligament early last year, it seemed like the end. But he has made it all the way back, and certainly seems worthy of another big league opportunity in Chicago or elsewhere.
As for Soler, today’s move marks the first time he has suited up in the majors since June 6th, when he suffered a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old is a heralded talent who has shown promise at times in the majors, but he’ll need to improve upon the .223/.322/.377 batting line he carried over his first fifty games of the season.
There have been some positives thus far for Soler. In particular, he increased his walk rate to 11.2% while driving down his strikeout rate to 23.7%, both of which are marked improvements over 2015. And his .264 BABIP provides cause to anticipate regression (though it is driven by an increasingly flyball-heavy batted ball mix). Still though, Soler has just five long balls and a .154 ISO, falling well shy of the big power numbers he carried in the upper minors and first taste of MLB action back in 2014.
So the Cubs have what now? Like 12 eligible corner outfielders?
Is that including Travis Wood
Bryant
Baez
Soler
Fowler
Coghlan
Sczuzr
Zobrist
Heyward
8 from my knowledge, close
Contreras.
Add contreras to that list
Sub Contreras for Baez. While he can play there, he’s too good ninths infield to be out there
Canderala should make the playoff team
I know some guys are knocking this. However, Soler had to be brought up. Like it or not, this guy is part of the starting core — at least until Schwarber comes back to his rightful spot in left. Until then, however, this is the Cubs’ starting left fielder.
This team need 2 position players cut the pen too 6 for thePlayoff oh Lackey you big bully your in the Pen come playoff s
WOW this is a pretty huge surprise to me
So how does this DFA work? Is it the same as passing through waivers?
Same process. He’ll still go through waivers. If no one claims him, he can either elect to return to AAA or elect for free agency.
Thanks
They are not exactly the same thing. designating a player for assignment puts a player in a form of limbo: it removes the player from the 40-man roster while giving the team a few days to decide what to do with him. The team can trade the player during that time, place the player on some for or waivers (outright waivers, release waivers), or simply release the player.. If I understand it correctly, the waivers period is shorter than the DFA period so the player need not go on waivers immediately. It something like 10 days for DFA and five for waivers. Sometimes, players are put on waiver at the same time or even before being designated but often not..
Nathan’s small sample size looks promising. I’m sure someone will give him a shot. Curious who that will be.
My guess is Dodgers. Just add to the collection.
why? they don’t need bullpen help.
st.louis
Poor Joe.
It’s too bad that they don’t have 30 roster spots haha
Don’t like this move, despite a sample size Nathan looked promising. Soler wasn’t hitting before he got hurt and during his rehab.
If you’re talking about his season as a whole prior to getting hurt, sure, but he was actually starting to play pretty well right before he got injured. As for Nathan, the Cubs got rid of him (assuming he elects free agency) before he could blow a game for them, and with their recent additions to the pen plus Edwards throwing very well, he was the odd man out.
Letting Nathan go was a bad move. Veteran relief help in playoffs and down the stretch is always needed. He will get picked up quick.
We got chapman . Pretty good veteran relief. Playoff game in hands of 41 year old veteran . No thanks .
Basically a decision to go with Grimm over Nathan. I agree with the decision being a bit odd (wait it out for another 30 days and we add Nathan to the pool of potential post season roster candidates).
On the flip side, it could be theo/Jed/Joe deciding that Nathan deserves and honest chance with another team… I bet he gets traded for a PTBL whose value will be determined by how well Nathan performs the last 1/3 of the season ..
Nathan has crapped the bed every chance he had in the playoffs. Blowing games quick. Especially against the Yankees.
My guess is Joe won’t give up on the majors. He’ll try to find another team contending for the playoffs and make it known he didn’t go through another Tommy John surgery for nothing.
I’m actually pretty surprised the Cubs haven’t moved Soler yet. I’ve gotta assume teams have been interested in the potential there and Chicago’s derth of young cheap OF options makes the more expensive Soler a little more expendable than others.
No need to. Just play him this year, hope he plays like a stud (that’s the best option for him and the team), then trade him when his value is high, and have Schwarber take over his rightful spot in left field. Either way, next year, left field is Schwarber’s. So, they need to hope he plays great.
I would’ve optioned Grimm or Edwards or Montgomery if he has options. What was the point in signing him? He was good. Soler was always coming back. HR in first AB. Dude will good
Some players don’t know when to retire.
Cardinals could use a reliever like Nathan.