Cubs 40 Man Roster, Transaction Updates

Lost in the headline news of the Cubs attempt to trade Carlos Marmol were several roster moves the front office made as they tidy up the 40 man roster in early preparation of the coming off season moves and the Rule 5 draft in December. On Friday, reliever Zach Putnam was claimed off of waivers from the Colorado Rockies and is now on the Cubs 40 man roster.

That same day Ian Stewart, Matt Garza, and Arodys Vizcaino were activated from the 60 day disabled list, effectively adding them back to the 40 man roster count. Regarding third baseman Stewart, the Cubs front office will continue to monitor his progress of return to health before officially deciding on how to address the hole at third base.

During the final few days of October, Manny Corpas, Justin Germano, and Joe Mather all elected free agency, with the latter two by doing so declining to be sent to AAA Iowa. Rubber armed reliever Shawn Camp elected to be a free agent on Saturday, bringing the total to four.

Jun 26, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Zach Putnam (54) pitches in the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. The Nationals defeated the Rockies by a score of 12-5. Credit: Andrew B. Fielding-US PRESSWIRE

Chris Volstad, as Jordan mentioned the other week, was a waiver claim victim along with catcher Anthony Recker. The departure of Volstad represents the last link of Carlos Zambrano to the Cubs, as Volstad was the player Chicago received in return. Chalk one up in the loss column regarding Cubs trades facilitated by President Theo Epstein and company. To be fair though, at least Epstein and Jed Hoyer got back a pitcher in return that had a chance to get back on the right track. In exchange they got to deal away clubhouse cancer that Zambrano was to the more fitting circus environment that the Ozzie Guillen led Miami Marlins had become.

The current roster count stands at 36, giving the Cubs room to add up to four players to the 40 man roster. Regarding the off season, this flexibility will allow the Cubs to protect players that may be targeted in the Rule 5 draft, in addition the space being needed if any free agents are signed to Major League deals.