TODAY: The Cubs announced that Borucki has opted for free agency rather than accept the outright assignment.
MAY 5: Cubs reliever Ryan Borucki has gone unclaimed on waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Iowa, tweets Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. Borucki has the right to decline the assignment in favor of minor league free agency based on a previous career outright and having over three years of major league service. According to Bastian, the left-hander is still deciding whether to accept the assignment.
Borucki signed a minor league deal with Chicago over the offseason. The Cubs selected his contract at the end of April. He was on the MLB roster for two days and didn’t get into a game before being designated for assignment. While he’s yet to pitch in the majors this season, the Illinois native reached the highest level every year between 2018-22.
The bulk of that experience came with the Blue Jays, who initially drafted Borucki in the 15th round back in 2012. Borucki had some success early in his career but has struggled in the last few years. Since the start of the 2021 campaign, he carries a 5.33 ERA with a 20.1% strikeout rate and lofty 10.5% walk percentage in 49 innings.
Borucki has been off to a rough start to the year in Iowa. Prior to his call-up, he was tagged for 13 runs (12 earned) in nine innings. He punched out 11 and induced ground-balls at a quality 51.7% clip but walked six of 49 batters faced.
Roster filler at Iowa. One last chance for one last chance.
He should try the KBO
In a spot of good news apparently the Cubs moved Jackson Ferris to Myrtle Beach and he made his debut last night. 3 innings- 7 K’s- 1 BB- 0 runs. They slipped that one by me.
Lol… this is the biggest non-news of the day. If he wants to move somewhere else this is his big chance… Go for it kid!!!
Should have quit after his first season when he didn’t win borucki of the year.
After his first year he went entirely relief, that’s like being constipated and Kao pectate doesn’t work…no relief.
To the Angels!
So if he went unclaimed on waivers, is there any reason he would think that a MLB team other than the Cubs is interested in his services? Is there a significant cost to claim a player on waivers? Does this mean he wants to explore the KBO or some other league? I’m surprised he wouldn’t accept the assignment from the Cubs.
I think for a player being outrighted to the minors, the claiming price is $50000 plus the cost of taking over the current contract.