The Miami Marlins have placed struggling veteran starting pitcher Cal Quantrill on outright waivers ahead of the roster deadline at the end of the month. As a reminder, a player must have been on a team's Major League roster before September 1 to be eligible for the postseason roster. For a team like the Chicago Cubs, Quantrill being placed on waivers is a reminder that there could be some surprise reinforcements to consider over the next few weeks.
In Quantrill's case, any team that claims would be on the hook for the remainder of his $3.5MM salary for the 2025 season.
Marlins RHP Cal Quantrill is on outright waivers, sources tell @TheAthletic. Owed remainder of $3.5M salary, 5.50 ERA in 24 starts, including 11.25 ERA in three starts in August.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 19, 2025
With Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad making their return from injury over the last week, the Cubs likely are going to steer clear of Quantrill, who has struggled over his last three seasons. There is a connection to Cubs' general manager Carter Hawkins dating back to when the two were with the Cleveland Guardians, but that shouldn't be the leading decision in a roster claim.
Cubs might be closer to reinforcements thanks to Marlins roster reminder
If anything, the move by the Marlins should have the Cubs' front office ready to pounce if the right name becomes available. For the Cubs, there are two specific teams to keep an eye on.
The first is the Arizona Diamondbacks, who held onto starting pitcher Zac Gallen at the MLB trade deadline. If the Diamondbacks are looking to get out of the remainder of the $13.5MM owed to Gallen, it stands to reason he would be an ideal waiver candidate. No longer having to risk giving up prospects, the Cubs likely would be among the teams to submit a claim if Galen were to hit waivers.
The other team is the Los Angeles Angels, who have made a habit of using outright waivers to clear their books at the end of the season. That could mean Kenley Jansen is among the Angels' players who could be placed on waivers before the end of August. Jansen signed a $10MM contract with the Angels before the season and has a 2.68 ERA with 23 saves. The interest from the Cubs would be obvious.
