The Cubs have announced a series of roster moves as teams around the league continue to trim rosters. Chicago claimed righty Cory Mazzoni off waivers from the Padres, adding a new name to the 40-man. Leaving the MLB roster is outfielder Leonys Martin; he’ll be replaced by righty Matt Carasiti, whose contract was selected.
Mazzoni, a former second-round draft pick who recently turned 28, has been shelled in minimal MLB time. But he put up some exciting numbers at Triple-A, allowing just two earned runs in 20 1/3 innings while racking up 31 strikeouts against just three walks. Despite those eyebrow-raising tallies, Mazzoni made it through much of the rest of the league on the wire.
As for Martin, he will have the right to elect free agency and seems likely to take it. He was a surprising mid-season acquisition for the Cubs after falling out of favor with the Mariners. Martin posted anemic offensive numbers all year long but still found himself onto the Cubs’ postseason roster. Given his well-regarded defense and baserunning, along with a history that includes some stretches of passable hitting, there ought to be a fair bit of interest in Martin, who is just 29 years of age.
Someone has to eat those 21 relief innings per week, with the ability to toggle between Chicago and Des Moines.
This isn’t a lost for the padres. It’s an improvement. Removing the bad players and trying the next guy.
Martin to the Bucs. They love castoffs.
While I’d probably rather have Farrell, Rosario and Hannemann, Mazzoni cant be snuck through considering his status as a 2nd contract minor leaguer which could give him something of a roster spot protection. Either way, I see him as depth.
Martin to Giants if they spend at 3rd instead of OF (or don’t spend much at all.)