Unfortunately I’m at the pool with the kids and cannot get into this as much as I’d want to at the moment, but Kiley McDaniel is reporting that the Cubs have added a first baseman.
Source: The Cubs claimed 1B Frank Schwindel from the A’s. He was DFA’d earlier this week when Mitch Moreland returned from the COVID-19 list.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) July 18, 2021
Schwindel, 29, was a long-time Royals prospect who has raked in the minors but hasn’t gotten much of a big league shot. It’s a bit of an odd claim on first blush for the Cubs, and I know folks will immediately jump to certain first base trade deadline conclusions. For now, I’d caution that it could be as simple as the Cubs knowing they might be moving out SOME bats soon, and saw a guy available for free that they liked.
High contact power bat who was raking at Triple-A. Get him when you have an open spot on the 40-man, figure out the rest later?
More soon.
UPDATE: Just to confirm:
The #Cubs today claimed 1B Frank Schwindel off waivers from the A’s and optioned him to @IowaCubs. pic.twitter.com/9l295YiB0p
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 18, 2021