According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, the Chicago Cubs placed veteran left-handed relief pitcher Drew Smyly on waivers on Monday.
Smyly was not designated for assignment. Teams have two days to sign him, and he would be a tempting addition to any team looking for a potential left-handed reliever for possible October assignment, including the New York Mets.
The Chicago Cubs have placed veteran pitcher Drew Smyly on waivers for the postseason contenders as they look for a left-handed reliever.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) 27 August 2024
The 35-year-old 11-year major league veteran will be immediately available for teams currently in the postseason race starting in September. Smyly has previously played for seven organizations – including three years with the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays and most recently the Cubs from 2022-2024 – and has a career record of 67-64, with a respectable 4.16 ERA, 1,106 strikeouts and 366 walks in over 1,000 innings.
Smyly had a good season in Chicago after signing a two-year, $19 million contract before the start of the 2023 season. In 50.2 innings this season for the Cubs, who are currently 65-66, 5.5 games out of the National League’s final wild card spot and losing ground, Smyly went 3-6, with a 2.84 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, recorded 43 strikeouts and allowed just 18 walks. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 23 with a right hip impingement injury, but was later activated on May 25 and the injury has not been a problem for him since.
The Mets entered Monday’s contest just three games ahead of the Cubs (68-63), but President of Baseball Operations David Stearns was active before the July trade deadline, signaling to fans that New York is trying to reach the postseason for the second time in the last three years. The Mets are in better striking distance, just 2.5 games behind their NL East division rival Atlanta Braves (70-60), and boast a much stronger offense than the Cubs.
Smyly’s contract includes an option for 2025 that includes a $2.5 million severance package. Based on his performance thus far, he has likely earned the opportunity to play in 2025 if an organization, possibly the Mets, claims him. In addition to his severance package, the left-hander is still owed $1.9 million this season, so putting him on the waivers list wouldn’t be cheap.
Chicago’s pitching staff has been a weak spot all season. In 2024, Smyly helped keep the Cubs afloat, but his services would be better served on a team ahead of the Cubs, like the Mets or another club currently holding a playoff spot.
