Chicago Cubs can get started on offseason shopping with this waiver claim

Chicago Cubs fans got a first-hand look at how the waiver process works this week when news broke that the team placed veteran left-handed Drew Smyly on outright waivers earlier this week.

While Smyly is in the middle of having another successful season while pitching out of the Cubs' bullpen, the fact remains that his usage hasn't been as frequent over the course of the past month. Given that fact, along with the idea that the Cubs could clear $4.5MM if Smyly was claimed, it made sense for the team to make the procedural move that they did.

Smyly appeared in Wednesday's historic victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, but it seems that he went unclaimed while on waivers. The Cubs plan on keeping Smyly for the remainder of the season, which means, it remains likely that the team will be over the luxury tax threshold for this year.

As long as that is the case, the Cubs would be smart to begin their offseason shopping this week. In a cost-cutting measure similar to what the Cubs tried with Smyly, the San Francisco Giants have placed left-handed relief pitcher Taylor Rogers on waivers.

The Giants are fading out of the National League Wild Card race and see an opportunity to potentially clear $14.5MM. Rogers is in the first year of a two-year deal he signed with the Giants prior to this season, owed approximately $2.5MM for the rest of this season and $12MM in 2025.

Cubs can add a valuable piece to their bullpen this week.

Rogers is having a strong season out of the Giants' bullpen in 2024, posting a 2.45 ERA through 54 appearances. Not only would the addition of Rogers add more stability to a Cubs' bullpen that has turned the corner from their early-season struggles but it would check off an item on the team's shopping list this winter.

Rogers is the type of reliever the Cubs traditionally target in the offseason. His having a year left on his deal aligns with Jed Hoyer's preferences when it comes to adding bullpen help. Not to mention, Rogers spent part of the 2022 season with the Milwaukee Brewers under Craig Counsell.