The Cubs should chicago cubs jersey fanatics claim Dinelson Lamet on DFA waivers

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Among several major deals made before Tuesday’s trade deadline, the Brewers sent Josh Hader to the Padres for Taylor Rogers, Dinelson Lamet, Esteury Ruiz and minor leaguer Robert Gasser.

Wednesday, the Brewers designated Lamet for assignment.

One Brewers beat writer called it a “head-scratcher”:

There was some salary equalizing involved in the Brewers taking Lamet back so the Padres could stay under the luxury tax. David Stearns described a roster crunch that then came about with the Bush addition. That's what led to this.

But still. I'd call it all a head-scratcher.

— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) August 3, 2022

There’s a bit more from Curt Hogg here; suffice to say it’s still a bit confusing. Brewers MLB.com beat writer Adam McCalvy has a bit more of an explanation:

With the 40-man at 39, some asked why Brewers didn't option Dinelson Lamet instead of DFAing him. The Brewers say the reason is he has five years of MLB service.

Must have *just* crossed 5yrs. Lamet was optioned by SD on 7/11. Then back for two games vs. Twins before the trade.

— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) August 3, 2022

Additionally, because Lamet has more than three years of MLB service, he can decline an outright assignment should he clear waivers and the Brewers try to send him to Triple-A. So, we shall see whether he stays in the organization.

— Ad chicago cubs mlb jersey hockey am McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) August 3, 2022

Lamet is 30 and his career has been one long injury list:

This year, Lamet has been in the Padres bullpen and has made 13 appearances in two separate s chicago cubs mlb jersey 09 tints (aJ.T. Realmuto Jerseys long with 17 minor league appearances this year in which he posted a 1.93 ERA and 1.286 WHIP), and the results have been pretty bad: 9.49 ERA, 2.027 WHIP. That included giving up two runs to the Cubs in one relief inning May 9 in S chicago cubs david ross jersey an Diego.

Lamet has had some previous success as a starter. From 2017-20 he posted a 3.76 ERA and 1.143 WHIP in 47 starts for the Padres, with a 112 ERA+. He had 2.3 bWAR in the 2020 pandemic seasJuan Soto Jerseys on.

There’s really nothing to lose here if the Cubs claimed Lamet on DFA waivers. Send him to Mesa and put him in the Pitch Lab and see if the Cubs can reclaim what Lamet was from 2017-20. Perhaps they could get a couple of decent years out of him as a starter. Even with the high ERA and WHIP this year, he’s still striking out 11.7 per nine innings. If it doesn’t work out, they could simply release him.

Lamet is making $4.775 million this year, so the Cubs would be on the hook for about $1.8 million on the deal. I suppose they could wait until he clears waivers; in that case they’d owe only a pro-rated portion of the minimum salary, about $260,000. But if they do that, any team could sign Lamet for that much.

I think it’s worth the chance to put in a waiver claim.

What say you?