Reds suddenly make notorious Cubs killer available before September roster expansion

The end of August can be an odd time for teams, considering the sheer number of players that are passed through waivers. For teams that are out of contention, it represents the chance to clear some extra money off their books before the end of the regular season. For contending teams, it's one last opportunity to make an addition to the roster before the playoffs. Something the Cubs haven't been strangers to, considering it was just last season they added veteran first baseman Carlos Santana for the final weeks of their playoff push.

It remains to be seen if the Cubs will make an addition before September, but their division rival appears to be trying to clear some money. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cincinnati Reds have placed third baseman Eugenio Suárez and outfielder TJ Friedl on outright waivers.

Added reporting confirms that each player was placed on waivers on Tuesday, so that means teams have until Thursday afternoon to make a claim. With the waiver trade deadline a thing of the past, if either player is claimed, they would be awarded to the claiming team, who would also be responsible for taking on the remaining money owed to them.

Suárez is owed around $3 million for the rest of the season, and Friedl is owed over $700,000. The indication from Rosenthal is that each player will clear waivers and remain with the Reds for the rest of the season.

Under different circumstances, Eugenio Suárez would have been an ideal late-season add for the Cubs

Suárez, of course, has been a notorious Cubs killer throughout his career but over the past year, there's been rumored interest from Chicago. The Cubs were believed to be interested in Suárez ahead of the trade deadline last summer, and there were loose connections made during the offseason.

Instead, the veteran third baseman returned to the Reds on a one-year deal worth $15 million. Injuries have thwarted his return to Cincinnati, considering he's been limited to just 103 games. Still, he has 19 home runs, so the appeal is that his bat could provide extra pop for a contending team.

It's hard to imagine the Cubs being that team, considering they don't have a need for a right-handed hitter off the bench. Especially with the looming return of Matt Shaw. Perhaps if there was uncertainty surrounding Shaw's return, the conversation would be different but the former first-round pick homered in his latest minor-league rehab game with the Iowa Cubs and appears to be ready for a return.

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