As the Chicago Cubs reside on the periphery of the playoffs, they are moving on from one of their solid arms. On Monday, the team placed Drew Smyly on waivers. He has not been DFA'd, so he can still pitch while the waiver process plays itself out.
The 35-year-old joins Hector Neris as the latest bullpen move made by the Cubs' front office. While Smyly could still remain with the team if he goes unclaimed, his solid play might entice other teams to take a chance on the veteran lefty.
It's a surprising move given Chicago's proximity to a playoff spot and how effective Smyly has been. However, if recent roster moves are any indication, it appears as if the Cubs are waving the white flag on their 2024 season.
As a lefty reliever, Smyly's 2.84 ERA helped contribute to a second-half turnaround for the bullpen. He will look to continue his solid run as a member of a contending team.
Drew Smyly, K'ing the Side in the 6th. pic.twitter.com/Xs7qhVKzyi
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 16, 2024
This wasn't Smyly's first rodeo with the organization. In 2017, the Cubs signed him with hopes of a recovery from Tommy John surgery. He didn't appear in a game as he was traded to the Texas Rangers while still recovering.
Since rejoining the Cubs in 2022, Smyly has bounced around from the rotation and bullpen. As a versatile pitcher, the team rewarded his contributions with a 2-year extension after his first season.
Smyly nearly pitched a perfect game in 2023 had it not been for catcher Yan Gomes' fatal mistake.
With eyes on the future, it appears the Cubs are looking for a youth movement for the rest of 2024 while offloading money as an important offseason lurks. Drew Smyly is just another step toward reaching that goal.
As Tyson Miller and Jorge Lopez continue to contribute, the Cubs have the ability to get the most out of little. With a hefty $10.5 million salary for 2024, the team is hoping to offset the cost to another team.
