The Cubs announced today that for the second time this offseason, they’ve claimed lefty Ian Clarkin off waivers from the White Sox. The South Siders designated Clarkin for assignment last week after signing Kelvin Herrera.
It’s the second time this winter that the ChiSox designated Clarkin for assignment. The crosstown Cubs claimed him from their south side counterparts back on Nov. 20 and promptly tried to pass Clarkin through waivers themselves (thus allowing them to keep Clarkin without giving him a 40-man roster spot), only for the White Sox to scoop him back up with a claim of their own.
Set to turn 24 next month, Clarkin is a former first-round pick (No. 33 by the Yankees in 2013) whom the White Sox originally acquired in the 2017 trade that sent David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle to the Yankees. While outfield prospect Blake Rutherford headlined the Sox’ return in that swap, Clarkin was an interesting addition to the mix, even if his prospect star had dimmed by the time he was traded.
However, Clarkin was hit hard in 68 innings of Double-A ball last year, turning in a 4.98 ERA with nearly as many walks (4.1 BB/9) as strikeouts (4.6 K/9). The Cubs organization is reportedly facing some ownership-mandated financial restrictions this winter and clearly sees some potential in Clarkin. The Cubs have again turned to Clarkin as a low-cost depth piece, though it’s possible they’ll again try to run him through waivers in order to maintain greater 40-man roster flexibility. At present, there are 39 players on the Cubs’ 40-man roster (including Clarkin).
This is the second time they’ve claimed him this off season alone, they’re obviously intrigued but not enough to actually not designate him.
They want him.
But, not on the 40.
What gave that away? The article maybe?
He’s got more hats than Church Lady.
He should invest in an “El” pass to lessen the burden of his crosstown journeys…
This sure makes up for a lack of cub’s transactions this offseason. Look out Brewers!!
Who said the Cubs were cash strapped?
The Cubs did.
No they didnt. They have money to sign the top 5 free agents. They just dont need to do so. They just need a top bullpen arm.
Lol. The owner has said they don’t have the financial flexibility as in past years and that last years’ signings have limited whay the Cubs can do this year.
Darvish a, Bryant nd Hamels for entire season . Yes look out Brewers
A dreamer, I like it!
The brewers have done just as nothing as the Cubs.. the brewers big signing was Corey spangenberg. Rhe Cubs signed Daniel descalso..
Brewers traded their best defensive player.. got nothing back worth anything.
Brewers also signed this catcher by the name of Yasmani Grandal, ranked by baseball prospectus as the best catcher in WAR. Cubs can keep an overrated team with a bloated payroll, they sure became a “dynasty”. in terms of trading broxton, we got back a option for the bullpen and 2 decent prospects for a guy who cant hit. Cubs also cant sign the top 5 free agents when they have Darvish, Chatwood, Hamels, Heyward etc. eating payroll but you know, keep pumping up your team…
At least he’s traveled very little for a guy who’s been moves thrice this offseason.
South side, North side, South side, North side.
Makes your head spin
I don’t get the Cubs this offseason. Even if they do have financial constraints from ownership (which is a joke), where is the creativity you see from other GMs? You could find someone to take Heyward for $8mil/yr, trade the year left of Zobrist, release Russell, and give Chatwood to someone for around $5/yr and you have enough to sign Harper, while ridding yourself some from the Heyward, Chatwood, and Russell messes. That (or some variation) couldn’t work and address the lack of offense problem they thought they had at the end of last year? C’mon.
Dude get out of my head!
I’ll take him on the South Side for $8M/yr if you throw in Amaya.
Decent points, scuba. Easier said than done of course, except for releasing Russell, which they should have done once the season ended. Not many teams would want Heyward UNLESS they had plenty of offense from other positions and could afford to stick a defensive specialist into what is “traditionally” a position from which you get offense. They might find somebody willing to take a flyer on Chatwood if they felt like their pitching coach could help him figure out that throwing strikes is preferable to throwing balls. Everybody could always use another arm and Chatwood has a pretty good arm – he just has no idea where the ball is going when he turns it loose. The silence and lack of creativity from an allegedly genius front office is puzzling.
.
Yes the ownership of the Cubs is a huge joke. They are not in anything financial constraints. And never were.
The Cubs have what, the 2nd highest payroll (per Sportrac), and yet Cubs fans complain that their ownership is cheap.
And if they were to sign Harper, there would still be crying when the Cubs couldn’t afford all of Bryant, Rizzo, and Baez.
The starting pitching is also going to need work soon. And it doesn’t look lime the pitching problems can be fixed internally.
They could easily sign Harper and extend Bryant rizzo and Baez. Plus contreas and Schwarber..they should spare no expense for those 5 players.
The Cubs have a good roster as is but for the Rickets family to back off because of financed is laughable. Who has the highest ticket prices? Who sells out every game? Who even charges for watching the game from roofto
Not to mention the cash they rake in from Wrigley Field concerts through the summer.
The circle of Clarkin is complete again
Nothing beats David Rollins and that whole whirlwind of an offseason. Poor fella.
Anyone else experiencing deja vu?
In other news Tom Ricketts buys another 5 blocks of real estate surrounding Wrigley Field with profits made from the Cubs but tells Theo and Cubs Fans fans he can’t increase payroll to sign once in a generational talent like Manchado or Harper to win another World Series..
so long baseball dynasty, helllllllo real estate dynasty!
Or maybe they saw the team they had last year win 95 games with injuries to key people. And maybe they believe a few other people had bad years. And I’m just guessing, but maybe they noticed they lost 40 games because they didn’t score two runs. And maybe they think they already have a team full of champions.
They do have a good team but the Russell thing (terrible decision) and the way they delayed bringing up Bryant for another year of control ruined a lot of fan support. They did finally bring us a world championship, Thank You, sincerely! But most of us were hoping for at least an “attempt” at a dynasty and not only will that evaporate without continueing investments (which may be uncomfortable at times) but I do not believe Bryant will sign with them long term and I really believe Mr. Epstein will receive offers from others wanting that dynasty. If you want to win, you have to exceed what others are willing to do. A cash strapped club? Not even close. They got that ring so now it all money.
Every team does the team control thing. Blame the players union for negotiating such a “loophole”
Which is a once-in-a-generation talent?
Harper? Machado? Trout? Betts?
That’s four in four years.
Well stated , they believe we are all clueless! Unfortunately we’ll add to the problem by showing up in April at the park.
They ran their payroll up the wall trying to prove off season dominance.
Maybe they should but some land around Wrigley and make an actual parking lot so I don’t have to take a train full of drunk a holes to get there.
Send Ricketts a letter. I’m sure he would do it for you.
No money in parking lots
uh really? you’ve obviously never paid to park in Chicago. or heard of the publicly traded (nasdaq) company SP Plus Corp. They certainly feel that there’s money to be made in parking….
They’re building a parking garage. Also depending on where you are coming from it’s easiest to take the train. I get on the orange at Pulaski and take it to the red and get off at wrigley
That’s what I do. But it’s hard to go to a game with family when a bunch of drunks are being ignorant on the train
K.
Because they’re “strapped”? I don’t believe that line. And if it’s because of previous FA debacles, I’ve got a newsflash… There is no FA lock for success. There’s no guarantees.
How many World Series rings have Harper or Machado brought to their previous teams? Ohhhh, zero.
Are they really the missing piece for a team to win a ring? Prob not.
How many has Trout brought to his team? I guess Jason Heyward must be more valuable than him.
Dang, Gregor Blanco has 2 World Series rings. He’s 2 times more valuable than Trout, right?
Clarkin = horse sh*t
Any kin to the former Reds shortstop??
Dumpster Divin’ Theo!
Clarkin doesn’t need the team charter. He can do all this moving with Uber.
Yes. they did it again.
Release the Clarkin!
I’m not trashing my clarkin jersey just yet. I have faith in rick Hahn to make this happen, again