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Cubs Release Rowan Wick

By Darragh McDonald | July 19, 2023 at 12:24pm CDT

The Cubs have released right-hander Rowan Wick, per Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register (Twitter link). Wick was already removed from the Cubs’ roster earlier this year so their 40-man remains full.

Wick, 30, once was a solid back-end reliever for the Cubs but has had a rough season here in 2023. From 2019 to 2021, he made 72 appearances for Chicago with a 3.18 earned run average. He struck out 26.8% of opponents while walking 11.5% and kept the ball on the ground at a 44.1% clip. He racked up 11 saves and 12 holds in that time.

Things moved in the wrong direction a bit last year. His ERA ticked up to 4.22 as his strikeout rate dropped to 23.5%, while adding another nine saves and four more holds. The club decided to tender him a contract, with the two sides avoiding arbitration by agreeing to a $1.55MM salary. Wick didn’t crack the club’s Opening Day roster out of Spring Training and was outrighted at the end of March. Since he has over three years of major league service time, he could have rejected that assignment and elected free agency, though doing so would have meant leaving that money on the table.

He reported to Iowa, surely hoping to work his way back to the majors, but it has not gone according to plan at all. He has an ERA of 8.60 this year through 30 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level. His 24.1% strikeout rate is strong but he’s walked 13.1% of batters faced. A tiny 49.5% strand rate is probably making that ERA look worse than it actually is, though he’s also allowed nine home runs, as 30% of fly balls he’s allowed have left the yard this year.

The righty will now head to the open market in search of his next opportunity. Although he’s clearly not had ideal results this year, he’s not too far removed from being a quality leverage guy at the major league level. There would be little harm in bringing him aboard on a minor league deal to see if he can get back on track. If he is able to earn his way back into a roster spot, the Cubs would remain on the hook for what’s left of his salary this year, with a signing club only responsible for the prorated league minimum for any time on the roster. He also still has an option remaining, allowing him to potentially provide a club with some roster flexibility.

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Chicago Cubs Transactions Rowan Wick

Rockies Designate Fernando Abad For Assignment
Main
Blue Jays Select Jordan Luplow
View Comments (23)

Comments

  1. Edp007

    3 months ago

    He flamed out

    2
    Reply
    • GaryWarriorsRedSoxx

      2 months ago

      Set a match to this guy, he’s done.

      Reply
    • rondon

      2 months ago

      Even when his numbers were good he was another Carlos Marmol.

      Reply
  2. harrycarey

    3 months ago

    How do we blame Jed for this? Or was this the David Ross problem? Will have to go to Cubs twitter for help I surmise.

    2
    Reply
  3. For Love of the Game

    3 months ago

    Wick will end up being released and somebody will give him a minors deal. Not much to see here.

    1
    Reply
  4. Wheeler Dealer

    3 months ago

    Not sure how he lasted as long as he did, next stop Brewers where they will squeeze another 2 yrs out of him

    2
    Reply
    • acoss13

      3 months ago

      Hey, if he can find a way to stay in the show, he’ll take it no doubt.

      1
      Reply
  5. CarryABigStick

    3 months ago

    The candle has run out of Wick.

    1
    Reply
  6. DCartrow

    3 months ago

    Rowan up the creek without a paddle.

    1
    Reply
    • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

      3 months ago

      I can swim canoe?

      Reply
  7. dgid09

    3 months ago

    I remember being teammates with this guy in college. Hope he lands somewhere and can continue his career

    1
    Reply
  8. dgid09

    3 months ago

    Was teammates with this guy in college. Hope he can return to form and keep the career alive!

    1
    Reply
  9. iron

    3 months ago

    Did they also kill his dog?

    4
    Reply
    • Rking

      3 months ago

      The Baba Yaga will be back.

      1
      Reply
    • acoss13

      3 months ago

      Distant relative since his ability to locate the ball (accuracy) is nowhere near John Wick’s.

      Reply
  10. mrperkins

    3 months ago

    Remember when he was supposed to be a power hitting catcher?

    1
    Reply
    • cah011381

      2 months ago

      2014 he had a pretty good year in A ball, then 15 was terrible, then he was a pitcher.

      Reply
  11. Logjammer D"Baggagecling

    3 months ago

    Don’t know what happened to him. I guess he just lost his confidence and it affected his pitching. I wish him all the best to the next chapter of his career and I hope he becomes a dominant pitcher that he can be.

    Reply
  12. Edp007

    3 months ago

    If the Astros pick him up , they’ll have a battery of Rowan and Martin. Hahaha hahahaha

    1
    Reply
    • Unclenolanrules

      3 months ago

      Sock it to me!

      1
      Reply
  13. Unclemike1526

    3 months ago

    1 Down, 5 more DFA’S to go.

    1
    Reply
    • Fred K. Burke

      3 months ago

      Start with Miles Mastrobuoni and Tucker Bernhardt.

      Reply
    • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

      3 months ago

      Barnhart and Mastrobuoni. Who are tbe other 3?

      Reply

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