Headlines

  • Blue Jays Sign Chad Green
  • Rays Extend Yandy Diaz
  • Dexter Fowler Announces Retirement
  • Mets Sign Jeff McNeil To Four-Year Extension
  • Red Sox, Marlins Swap Matt Barnes For Richard Bleier
  • Darren O’Day Announces Retirement
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Cubs Outright Mark Leiter Jr.

By Anthony Franco | January 19, 2023 at 7:16pm CDT

Cubs right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. has gone unclaimed on outright waivers, tweets Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. He’d been designated for assignment last week once Chicago finalized their one-year deal with Eric Hosmer.

Leiter, 32 in March, signed a minor league contract with Chicago last offseason. He cracked the big league roster by the second week of the season. Leiter held his spot on the 40-man all year and bounced a few times between Wrigleyville and Triple-A Iowa. Working primarily as a long relief option in the majors, he tossed 67 2/3 frames through 35 outings (including four starts). Leiter put together a decent 3.99 ERA with better than average strikeout and ground-ball marks (25.9% and 48.9%, respectively).

Despite that generally solid work, he was squeezed off the roster this winter. That’s presumably a result of some skepticism around the league that Leiter could maintain his 2022 form, as he carried a 5.53 ERA in 114 career major league innings headed into last year. He didn’t appear at the highest level at all between 2019-21 thanks to an intervening Tommy John surgery.

Leiter was previously outrighted by the Blue Jays back during the 2018-19 offseason. Clearing waivers a second time in his career gives him the right to elect minor league free agency instead of accepting an assignment to Iowa. The Cubs haven’t yet announced whether he’ll do so.

Share 0 Retweet 6 Send via email0

Chicago Cubs Transactions Mark Leiter Jr.

Mariners Sign Tommy La Stella, Designate Justus Sheffield
Main
MLBTR Poll: American League Central Favorite
View Comments (23)

Comments

  1. frontdeskmike

    2 weeks ago

    The Cubs roster is a little Leiter.

    Reply
    • NicoHoerndawg

      2 weeks ago

      Lol…. Im not opposed to him staying in the organization on a minor league deal. He’ll probably want to test the waters and see what a new organization will do for his chances though. He wasn’t terrible as a relief pitcher, but honestly he’s destined for mop-up duty at best. His strength is his ability to spot start and eat some innings on a wasted day for his team.

      Reply
      • Dorothy_Mantooth

        2 weeks ago

        I think it will come down to what the Cubs agreed to pay him before his DFA. If he had a guaranteed $1M salary or more, he may very well accept his assignment to AAA as I believe he has enough time/experience to choose to keep his major league salary and play for the AAA Cubs. If he was on a league minimum deal, he might take a chance and opt out, but he’ll lose that guaranteed ~$750K salary if he can only find a minor league deal for himself outside of Chicago. He’ll get a minor league deal with a large bump should he make it to the majors, but it may still be less than what Chicago had offered him overall.

        Reply
      • bigjonliljon

        2 weeks ago

        He’s decent in relief couldn’t prove capable of doing the 3rd time through the order thing. Decent but not needed by the Cubs they have so may of this same guy and better

        Reply
  2. Logistics Guy

    2 weeks ago

    Maybe Jed Hoyer and Cubs can package both Mark Leiter and Nick Madrigal to the LA Dodgers for Diego Cartaya,

    Reply
    • neurogame

      2 weeks ago

      Only if Hoyer found some scandalous pictures of Andrew Friedman and Trevor Bauer together.

      Reply
    • MannyBeingMVP

      2 weeks ago

      As a Cubs and Dodgers fan, I can say there is a better chance of Cubs simply releasing both. Madrigal might get a team top 30 prospect, but not a MLB top dozen prospect. Cartaya is worth more than PCA and Davis combined.

      Reply
    • Steve Rogers

      2 weeks ago

      Nice try but the Dodgers are not giving up their top 21 yr old catching prospect for the perceived Cubs garbage.
      The Cubs definitely need a catcher prospect in their system. I was suprised that they didn’t sign one at the 2023 IFA period. Definitely a trade priority or amateur draft coming up.

      Reply
  3. pt57

    2 weeks ago

    Would an invite to the Cubs’ ML camp be included?

    Reply
    • Capi

      2 weeks ago

      Most likely… Regardless of who he plays for this season, he’ll be in camp for ST, he’s got too much MLB experience to sit it out.

      Reply
    • mrkinsm

      2 weeks ago

      If he’s smart, he rejects the assignment and signs with a team that has much better odds of him making a roster on opening day. A team like the Reds for example.

      Reply
    • stymeedone

      2 weeks ago

      More likely an invite to a fantasy camp.

      Reply
  4. realisticnyyfan

    2 weeks ago

    Nepo baby

    Reply
  5. PaulyMidwest

    2 weeks ago

    I hope he accepts the assignment and he might knowing he likely won’t be in Iowa long if at all. Would love to have him around as depth for injuries and a veteran presence in Iowa but would totally understand if he wants to try to sign with a team where he would have a better chance of earning a chance to start or be more of a prominent part of the pen instead of a mop up guy.

    Reply
  6. harrycarey

    2 weeks ago

    Wasn’t he just at Cubs Convention?

    Reply
  7. PiratesFan1981

    2 weeks ago

    Oh no, here comes another Pirates signing. Another recycled project to add to the collection this year. Might as well join Rich Hill. Need someone to help Mr. Hill with his scooter to help him get to the mound.

    Reply
    • deGrom Texas Ranger

      2 weeks ago

      A bit over the hill Atchison point in his career, right? At least he’s rich.

      Reply
      • deGrom Texas Ranger

        2 weeks ago

        *at this point in his career

        Reply
  8. mookiesboy

    2 weeks ago

    He Loves being a Cub. He’ll stay in the org and be back in Wrigley for most of 2023

    Reply
  9. Unclemike1526

    2 weeks ago

    He’ll move on, He’s not going to get a 40 man spot with the Cubs. If you’re the kind of optimist that sees a 5 week stint against lame competition last year as currency over a 10 year period of mediocrity then have a go. I say, Best of luck in your future job search.

    Reply
  10. deGrom Texas Ranger

    2 weeks ago

    The good Leiter – the one Texas didn’t screw up

    Reply
  11. Tingles

    2 weeks ago

    52 hits in 67 innings ain’t bad!

    Reply
    • mookiesboy

      1 week ago

      He’s a serviceable major leagu pitcher and a good guy. He will pitch plenty MLB innings this year

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Blue Jays Sign Chad Green

    Rays Extend Yandy Diaz

    Dexter Fowler Announces Retirement

    Mets Sign Jeff McNeil To Four-Year Extension

    Red Sox, Marlins Swap Matt Barnes For Richard Bleier

    Darren O’Day Announces Retirement

    Royals To Re-Sign Zack Greinke

    Braves Extend Manager Brian Snitker Through 2025

    Rays Sign Pete Fairbanks To Extension

    Royals Sign Aroldis Chapman To One-Year Deal

    Athletics Sign Jesús Aguilar

    Orioles Acquire Cole Irvin From A’s

    Astros Name Dana Brown General Manager

    Rays Extend Jeffrey Springs

    Royals, Red Sox Swap Adalberto Mondesi For Josh Taylor

    Red Sox Designate Matt Barnes For Assignment

    Scott Rolen Elected Into Baseball Hall Of Fame

    Red Sox Sign Adam Duvall

    Brad Ausmus Reportedly Among Astros’ GM Finalists

    Mike Clevinger Under Investigation For Domestic Violence Allegations

    Recent

    Mariners Win Arbitration Case Against Diego Castillo

    Mariners, Kyle Tyler Agree To Minor League Contract

    Dodgers Move Danny Lehmann To Bench Coach

    MLBTR Chat Transcript

    Reds Sign Jason Vosler To Minor League Deal

    Braves Sign Yolmer Sanchez To Minor League Deal

    Mets’ Khalil Lee Under Investigation Following Assault Allegations

    Read The Transcript Of Our Chat Hosted By Former MLB Outfielder Chad Hermansen

    Dodgers, Matt Andriese Agree To Minor League Deal

    The Opener: Orioles, MLB Events, Signings

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Offseason Outlook Series
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version