True to their word, the Cubs brass did claim a player off the wire.
The Cubs claimed right-handed pitcher Guillermo
Moscoso off waivers from the Blue Jays in their continued search for
bullpen help.This decision made Cory Wade,
one of the in-house bullpen candidates off the 25-man roster. Lefty Hisanori Takahashi in still camp, but the Cubs state they are are still
monitoring the waiver wire. Takahashi is a non-roster invitee, and the Cubs would need to open a
spot on the 40-man for him as well.
To make room for Moscoso on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher
Arodys Vizcaino was placed on the 60-day disabled list. He is recovering
from Tommy John surgery.
Moscoso, 29, is 11-12 with a 4.16 ERA in 57 Major League appearances,
including 24 starts, over four seasons with the Rangers (2009-10),
Athletics (2011) and Rockies (2012). In each of the past two seasons, he
made 23 big league appearances, with 21 of his 23 outings as a starter
in 2011, and 20 of his 23 appearances as a reliever last year.
In his three starts last year, the right-hander was 0-1 with a 10.80
ERA, and he compiled a 4.42 ERA in 20 relief appearances. With most waiver wire selections, the hope is that the player may "get better" with a change of scenery or be "coached up" by the pitching guru on staff. It does indicate that the Cubs would like to go with major league experience over a rookie in the bullpen.
The Cubs also have yet to finalize the position players on the
Opening Day roster. Steve Clevenger is in the same situation as
Takahashi. He's the last in-house candidate.
If the Cubs keep Clevenger, they would have the rare situation of carrying three catchers on the opening day roster. Clevenger has been playing other positions (1B, 3B) but one cannot say that he is a true utility infielder.
UPDATE:
Moscoso was immediately put on waivers by the Cubs. He has cleared waivers and he has been outrighted off the 40 man roster to the minor league camp. It is expected that he will be assigned to AAA Iowa to start the season.
