Triple-A/MLB fringe veterans often lack minor league options, preventing routine shuttle between major and minor leagues. Teams can instead move such players using a DFA, waiver, outright, and re-sign process, allowing roster spot management while keeping depth available. The Cubs used this approach multiple times, including with left-hander Ty Blach. Blach provided three scoreless innings in a mop-up role, was designated for assignment for a roster spot, cleared waivers, was outrighted, entered free agency, and then re-signed on a new minor league deal. With Edward Cabrera on the injured list, retaining Blach supports pitching depth and keeps a potential future call-up option open.
"The thing about Triple-A/MLB fringe veteran types is that they tend not to have minor league options available, so you cannot freely shuttle them up and down between the big leagues and the minor leagues like a prospect. But, because they have landed at that Triple-A/MLB border for a reason, you can often effectively shuttle them up and down via the DFA, waive, outright, re-sign method, which the Cubs have done multiple times already this year with some veterans."
"The latest is lefty Ty Blach, who gave the Cubs three scoreless innings of mop up work last week, but was designated for assignment when the Cubs needed a roster spot. The 35-year-old went unclaimed on waivers, was outrighted and reached free agency, and then re-signed with the Cubs:"
"It's a pure depth move, but as we've seen, you want to have as as many options as possible available in your organization. Disaster strikes too often. To that end, with Edward Cabrera going on the Injured List in the interim, I expect that the Cubs were very happy to be able to retain Ty Blach. Perhaps Blach was also happy to stick in an organization with whom he worked well, and where he can see a path to another call-up as a fill-in at some point in the near future."
"At Iowa, Ty Blach had made five appearances before being brought up, posting a 5.23 ERA over 20.2 innings. He can"
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