Right-hander Jake Woodford triggered an opt-out clause in his minor league deal with the Cubs and has been granted his release, MLBTR has learned. He’s once again a free agent and can explore opportunities with any team.
Woodford, 28, has split the regular season between the Triple-A affiliates for the Yankees and Cubs. He’s opted out of both contracts, as neither club has given him a look in the majors prior to agreed-upon out dates. Woodford posted nearly identical numbers with the two teams and worked to a combined 4.55 ERA with a 21.8% strikeout rate, 7.4% walk rate and 47.8% ground-ball rate through 61 1/3 innings (10 starts, four long relief outings). He’s been particularly sharp in his two most recent outings, logging a combined 12 innings with four runs (3.00 ERA) and a 14-to-2 K/BB ratio. Woodford’s most recent appearance saw him toss 97 pitches, so he’s fully built up to a starter’s workload.
The No. 39 overall pick by the Cardinals back in the 2015 draft, Woodford has pitched in each of the past five major league seasons. Nearly all of his experience has come with St. Louis, though he did suit up for both the White Sox and Pirates in 2024. He’s pitched 219 2/3 big league innings and has a 4.88 ERA, 15.2% strikeout rate, 7.5% walk rate and 45.1% ground-ball rate in that time.
Clubs in need of rotation depth or some length in the bullpen could take a look at the increasingly well-traveled right-hander as they wait for the summer trade market to commence in full force later this month. In 468 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, Woodford has a 4.07 ERA.
Here comes Bob Nutting! Round 2
Now hold on a minute, Hoyer is probably going to call dibs on this one first. Cubbies could use a body in the rotation.
Sad news, Cubs had been collecting 2015 draft picks like I was years ago with Bed Bath and Beyond coupons that came in the mail.
Why were you collecting so many coupons? Did you have a favorite scent you wanted to stock up on? If so, what was it?
You’re thinking of Bath & Bodyworks, but since you asked, the lemon pound cake scent is amazing.
Ohh yeah. I’ll have to check it out. I’m not allowed scents that smell like food, for obvious reasons.
Dang, looks like the Cubbies aren’t making the playoffs.
Mom needs you to finish cutting the grass then you guys can cuddle.
Woodford isn’t good…ford. It makes sense to opt out when no one wants to trade for you. Just keep trudging along.
These older fringe pitchers/hitters just don’t want to be in the minors. I don’t blame them. I’m wondering when the younger players are going to start really complaining about spending an extended amount of time in the minors.
It’s not a huge loss. Wicks has been very good since his hamstring pull and is up to 80 pitches. Noland is reliable. Sanders is trending up. Even Maeda is looking better but he couldn’t have gotten worse quite frankly. Birdsell is making his way back. Don’t know what’s up with Assad. They have options without making a trade but Wiggins and Caissie have been healthy scratches for a week which is scaring the bejeezus out of me. I can feel a big Hoyer mistake coming on. Please God I’ll be good just take Hoyer’s phone away.
For fk sakes. Jed better not trade Wiggins and ONKC. Two of only maybe 4 untouchables that the Cubs have right now. Horton is too despite being on the major league roster.
I like that Jed is all in but it would be a big mistake trading Caissie and Wiggins. The Cubs have plenty of assets in their farm they can part with and it won’t hinder their future too much.
@Uncle: Agree with you on Wiggins, would be willing to see ONKC go for a very good starting pitcher–or for Eugenio. Or for both.
I’m ok with trading top prospects but it’s a conditional ok. That condition is for an established, and controllable major league player. Those types of deals are hard to hammer out mid season around the trade deadline. Not saying it couldn’t, but not too often. No rental or a one year left type of situation. As I and others have mentioned, I’m good with moving Cassie or Alcantara if the Kyle Tucker extension/signing was resolved. Unfortunately, it’s not. He’s like a one and done with the Cubs. Lastly, I simply don’t and can’t trust Jed Hoyer and his staff to make the proper judgement regarding the organization’s prospects.
I don’t even know who Jake Woodford is.