NEWSLETTER
It’s been a busy roster day for the Cubs, who are getting their 40-man and active roster in shape now that we’re less than two weeks from Opening Day. Their latest move, DFA-ing reliever Tommy Nance, is a disappointing one. Unfortunately, the Cubs had their hands forced by a roster crunch.
https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1507410201036541954?s=20&t=ec7g-EPPtkaBJ2LdAzV7YQ
Nance had an incredible journey up to the big league Cubs and demonstrated some real potential through the first half of June (he looked downright unhittable at times), but he fell off dramatically thereafter. Blame expected regression, league changes to the enforcement of certain common practices, or regular old baseball, Nance just wasn’t quite able to get it all back in the second half of last season.
As I indicated up top, Nance had been able to stick around despite a full 40-man roster while he was on the COVID IL (which temporarily removes you from the 40-man roster). But now that he’s off the COVID IL, the Cubs were over the limit and had to make a move. They’ll have seven days to trade, waive, or release Nance, and if he clears waivers the Cubs could send him to Iowa (he does still have two minor league options remaining, so he’s a good bet to get picked up, though). Good story, good dude, plenty of upside. Hopefully, this isn’t the end of Nance with the Cubs.
UPDATE: It is. The Miami Marlins have claimed Nance off of waivers today. I suspect they may also try to get him through waivers eventually, but until then, he is an optionable reliever for them this year. All the best to Nance.
