The Chicago Cubs have claimed infielder Gabriel Arias off waivers from the New York Mets, adding veteran depth to a thinned-out infield as they push for a playoff spot.
The move, announced Wednesday, comes after the Mets designated Arias for assignment earlier in the week. He had joined New York just days earlier via a waiver claim from the Cleveland Guardians.
To open a 40-man roster spot, Chicago transferred reliever Phil Maton to the 60-day injured list. Arias, who is out of minor-league options, will need an active-roster spot when he reports.
The Cubs’ timing is practical. Shortstop Dansby Swanson recently landed on the 10-day injured list with an oblique strain, and utility man Matt Shaw remains sidelined with a hand/wrist issue.
Chicago had already called up Owen Miller for infield insurance; Arias now gives them another experienced option who can play shortstop, third base, second base, and first.
Arias, 26, was once viewed as one of Cleveland’s better prospects. The Venezuelan signed with the San Diego Padres as an international free agent in 2016 and was traded to the then-Indians in 2020 as part of the package that sent Mike Clevinger to San Diego.
He appeared on multiple top-100 lists in the 2020-22 window, ranking as high as No. 73 on MLB Pipeline’s overall board and inside Cleveland’s top five. Scouts liked his plus arm, range on the left side of the infield, and raw power.
The bat never quite caught up. In 364 career games, mostly with the Guardians, Arias has hit .218/.274/.358 with 30 home runs. His strikeout rate sits at 34.3 percent and his walk rate at 6.5 percent.
This season he batted .235 with five homers in 44 games between Cleveland and a brief, hitless stint with the Mets. Defensively he has been more reliable, posting positive Statcast marks at shortstop this year.
Cleveland finally designated him for assignment in early August to make room for top prospect Angel Genao. The Mets took a short look before moving on.
Now Arias lands with a Cubs club sitting 74-54 and second in the NL Central. For a player who has spent five seasons trying to unlock his tools in Cleveland, the change of scenery and a defined bench role could provide a reset.
Chicago will need to make a corresponding active-roster move before Friday’s series opener in Seattle. Whether Arias sticks as a late-inning defensive replacement, occasional starter, or short-term fill-in depends on how quickly Swanson and Shaw return.
At minimum, the Cubs have added a 26-year-old with major-league experience and positional flexibility at little cost. For Arias, it is another chance to show the upside that once made him a prospect of note.
