Cubs Claim Trey Wingenter Off Waivers from Red Sox

The Chicago Cubs' bullpen has improved as of late but still needs more depth. Jed Hoyer sent Hunter Bigge and Mark Leiter Jr. out of town at the trade deadline, leaving relief innings on the board. On Friday , the Cubs claimed pitcher Trey Wingenter off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox. While he'll report to Triple-A Iowa upon joining the organization, it's reasonable to believe he'll get the call to Chicago at some point this season.

The 30-year-old's brief stint in Boston didn't go smoothly. Wingenter's 27.00 ERA in two appearances with the Red Sox isn't indicative of the type of pitcher he is. Since he's a waiver claim, this is another low-risk move by Hoyer that could pay off if Wingenter can provide innings down the stretch.

Originally a prospect with the San Diego Padres, Wingenter has bounced around for most of his career. Having last appeared in the big leagues in 2019, he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020 and then spent time with the Cincinnati Reds.

Wingenter finally returned in 2023 and pitched for the Detroit Tigers. But with a 5.82 ERA , he was still enduring struggles. Given the Cubs' track record of fixing pitchers, it'll be interesting to see what they have in store for Wingenter.

Wingenter features a heavy slider usage, so the Cubs might see some room for improvement in their pitching lab. If Wingenter can be unlocked, he's an interesting candidate for the 2025 team's bullpen.

The Cubs have a vision for the future. Whatever can help they can get next season and beyond is important right now. It'll be encouraging if Wingenter can impress before the season's end, but if not, it's not the end of the world.

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