The Miami Marlins lost on Monday night, meaning they moved half a game behind the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card standings, which was great news for the Cubs because the Marlins own the head-to-head tiebreaker. However, it also meant that the Marlins moved up in the waiver wire priority list ahead of the Cubs and now they have left-handed reliever Matt Moore because of it.
Moore, who was originally claimed by the Cleveland Guardians from the Los Angeles Angels in early September, was once again put on waivers as the Guardians are pretty much out of the race in the American League Central division. Cleveland gets to save about $600k by dumping Moore with a few weeks left in the season.
Well, it would have been nice if the Guardians had been a bit quicker to waive the white flag because the Cubs could have certainly used Moore in their bullpen. If this was done one day earlier, the Cubs would have gotten the option to claim Moore before the Marlins, as they were technically behind in the standings.
The Cubs did put a claim when the Angels first placed Moore on waivers a few weeks ago, but the Guardians were ahead on the priority list.
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The 34-year-old lefty has a combined 2.77 ERA with the Angels and Guardians in 2023, striking out 57 batters in 48.2 innings. One key detail in this pickup by the Marlins is that Moore will not be postseason eligible for Miami if the team ends up in the playoffs with one of the Wild Card spots.
So, now the Marlins get another good pitcher for their bullpen, while the Cubs continue to search for answers in the final two weeks of the regular season. The Cubs have been without closer Adbert Alzolay and Michael Fulmer, as both right-handed pitchers are dealing with forearm strains. Fulmer came back last week, but after one appearance against the Colorado Rockies, he was placed back on the injured list with the same forearm issue on Saturday.
Alzolay did play long toss on Tuesday. He last pitched on Sept. 9, at Wrigley Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
