Gabriel Arias is back in the waiver-wire shuffle, and this time the Cubs are the ones taking the shot.
Chicago claimed the former Guardians infielder on Wednesday, making it the second club to grab him since Cleveland designated him for assignment at the beginning of the month. For a player in Arias’ position, that’s about as good as it gets: he’s out of options, he’s been claimed twice, and he keeps landing in the big league mix instead of slipping out of it.
The Cubs’ move is tied to the present, not some far-off roster puzzle. They’re 74-54 and a lock to reach the postseason, but they also just lost Dansby Swanson to the injured list with an oblique strain that could keep him out for the rest of the season.
Nico Hoerner has handled shortstop since Swanson went down, even though he’s a second baseman by trade. Arias now looks like a fit as the backup shortstop, a role that had belonged to former Guardian Owen Miller.
That versatility is the main selling point. Arias can move around the infield with ease, even if the bat hasn’t fully come around. He’s struck out in nearly 42% of his at-bats, but teams keep finding room for him because he can cover multiple spots and survive on a roster.
The numbers this season are right in line with his career track record. Across time with the Guardians and Mets, Arias has hit .235/.273/.371.
He got off to a strong start in Cleveland, including a good series against the Cubs, before a hamstring injury knocked him out for two months. After that, he gave the Guardians a quiet July before they moved on.
His stop with the Mets barely got started. He played in two games, went 0-for-5 with a strikeout, and then got designated for assignment.
That’s the reality for Arias right now: he’s the kind of fringe player who keeps surfacing because of his skill set and roster status. If he clears waivers after a future DFA, he can get back into a minor league system.
If not, he stays in the big league cycle. He’s likely headed for a non-tender after the season from whichever club has him, and he’ll face another uphill climb to hold a 40-man spot down the line.
For now, though, he’s got another chance.
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