Blue Jays Claim Brian Serven

The Chicago Cubs were hoping that Brian Serven would slip through on waivers and remain as a depth catcher in their organization, but the Toronto Blue Jays have scooped him up. The Blue Jays announced that they claimed the 28-year-old catch off Cubs waivers on Tuesday.

The Cubs first acquired Serven in early January, claiming him off the Colorado Rockies waivers and adding him to their 40-man roster. After the team’s trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers for right-handed reliever Yency Almonte and left-handed hitting prospect Michael Busch, the Cubs designated Serven for assignment to make room for the additions.

Now, Serven is off to the Blue Jays.

So, while the Cubs are obviously focused on adding another bat and at least one high-leverage reliever before the season begins, you may also see Jed Hoyer go out and sign or nab another catcher from someone else’s roster that can serve as depth for Triple-A in 2024.

Previous update: Jan. 11

The Chicago Cubs have finalized their trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs sent left-handed pitching prospect Jackson Ferris along with 2023 11th round pick Zyhir Hope to the Dodgers in exchange for LA’s 2019 first-round pick Michael Busch and right-handed relief pitcher Yency Almonte.

To make room on the team’s 40-man roster following the deal, the Cubs DFA’d recently acquired catcher Brian Serven, who was claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies earlier in January.

The Cubs have picked up a handful of catchers this offseason and they’re probably anticipating that Serven will clear waivers and remain in the organization. Ideally, Serven will open up the season as a veteran catcher at Triple-A Iowa, hanging around in case of an emergency. But first he has to clear waivers and not get claimed by another team.

Serven made his MLB debut in 2022, appearing in 62 games with Colorado. In 205 plate appearances, Serven had a slash line of .203/.261/.332, while slugging six home runs that only resulted in a 52 wRC+. In 2023, Serven had injury-plagued season, playing a total of 11 games with the Rockies and 38 games at Triple-A.

Overall, in his first two stints in the majors, Serven slashed .195/.248/.314, in 228 plate appearances. Looking at his numbers behind the plate, Serven was good at neutralizing the running game, throwing out 5 of 12 attempted base stealers.

Earlier in the offseason, the Cubs also signed Jorge Alfaro to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. The Cubs also signed another catcher to a minor league deal in Joe Hudson.