The Cubs introduced Monday that they’ve designated right-hander Michael Arias for task. His spot on the 40-man roster will go to fellow right-hander Colin Rea, whose beforehand reported one-year deal is now official.
Arias, 23, was chosen to Chicago’s 40-man roster within the 2023-24 offseason to be able to defend him from the Rule 5 draft. The infielder-turned-reliever spent the 2024 season within the higher minors, pitching to a mixed 4.77 ERA in 60 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. Arias was simpler on the former than the latter, logging a 3.75 ERA in Double-A however a 5.35 mark in Triple-A.
Command was a difficulty for Arias at each ranges, as has been the case since he moved to the mound. The hard-throwing righty sits mid-90s along with his sinker however has walked a dismal 16.5% of opponents in his skilled profession — together with 19.6% of his opponents in 36 1/3 Triple-A frames this previous season.
Even with that notable flaw, Arias nonetheless landed eleventh on FanGraphs’ latest rating of the Cubs’ farm system. Eric Longenhagen and Travis Ice profiled the righty, touting a possible plus-plus changeup, a bat-missing slider and the power to work a number of innings in aid. Arias location struggles — FanGraphs’ report notes that Arias “hasn’t even progressed to 40-grade management” but — are outstanding sufficient that the Cubs are comfy buying and selling him or exposing him to waivers.
Whereas the Cubs could really feel they don’t have room for him on their 40-man, Arias is a 23-year-old with a sinker as much as 98 mph, a pair of common or higher secondaries, and two minor league choice years remaining. He looks like he’ll draw curiosity from one other membership, be it through a small commerce or just through waivers. The Cubs have 5 days to commerce Arias. After that, he’ll should be positioned on waivers (a 48-hour course of).