Cubs May Have Interest In Newly DFA’d Chris Carpenter

The laughs just keep rolling in around the Cubs camp as Bruce Levine is reporting that the Cubs may be interested in their former prospect Chris Carpenter.

Carpenter, who was the centerpiece of the Theo Epstein compensation deal with the Boston Red Sox, has been DFA’d by the team.

June 28, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Chris Carpenter (37) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Now the Boston squad will have 10 days to either release, trade or waive Carpenter as they make room on their 40 man roster for Mike Napoli.

Wanting Carpenter back is good in theory, but it is a bit of a logistical nightmare for the Cubs as their 40 man roster currently stands at 40, and that’s without the soon-to-be-announced deal with Christian Villanueva. All players who are claimed off waivers are required to be placed on the 40 man roster, and Carpenter (who would be the 42nd) is no exception. We can then, in principle, assume that their 40 man stands at 41 and there aren’t many players the Cubs would easily part with on that roster to make room for the righty.

If the Cubs would want to bring him back while avoiding waiving additional players to make room for him, he’d have to first clear waivers and then be brought back on a minor league deal. This seems reasonable, but I don’t see Carpenter going unclaimed on the waiver wire, let alone the Cubs risking valuable assets to bring him back.

Also take in to consideration that the Cubs have a log jam of good bullpen arm prospects in the minors including Cory Wade, Hisanori Takahashi, Andrew Carpenter and Jensen Lewis – all of which are capable on the mound.

Having Carpenter back would be a nice luxury, but the logistics required make it a slim chance of becoming a reality. There is too much risk in trying to squeeze him on the 40 man, which is already overflowing.

Then again, you never know what kind of tricks this front office has up their sleeves.