What's Happening?
The Chicago Cubs have declined their $3.3 million club option for right-handed pitcher Javier Assad for the 2027 season, as reported by Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. Despite the decline, Assad remains under team control as an arbitration-eligible player.
Assad played the 2026 season on a one-year, $1.8 million deal that included this now-declined option. During the 2026 season, Assad split his time between Triple-A Iowa and the Chicago Cubs, primarily serving as a swingman. He posted a 3.63 ERA over 94 1/3 major league innings, with a 16.1% strikeout rate and a 7.1% walk rate. His role often involved being an opener or a long reliever in low-to-medium leverage situations. The decision to decline the option was influenced by Assad's projected arbitration earnings of $2.3 million, which is significantly lower than the option price.
Why It's Important?
This decision by the Cubs highlights a strategic financial move to optimize their roster spending while retaining a valuable, versatile pitcher. By declining the higher club option and opting for arbitration, the Cubs can potentially save around $1 million for the 2027 season. This cost-saving measure also has a compounding effect, as a lower 2027 salary will impact any potential raises in his final year of club control in 2028. For Assad, remaining under team control means he will likely negotiate a new deal, securing his place with the team, albeit at a potentially reduced salary compared to the option. The Cubs are actively looking for starting pitching, and while Assad is currently in the rotation mix, he is expected to revert to a swing role, providing depth and flexibility to the pitching staff.
What's Next?
Javier Assad is expected to negotiate a new contract with the Chicago Cubs for the 2027 season, likely at a figure closer to his projected arbitration earnings. The Cubs are known to be in the market for starting pitching, especially given that several key pitchers, including Matthew Boyd, Kevin Gausman, David Peterson, Shota Imanaga, and Clay Holmes, have entered the open market. The team is also anticipating the return of Justin Steele and Cade Horton from UCL surgeries, and Ben Brown from a neck injury, all of whom have not pitched in a big league game since April 2025 or June. Assad will likely be utilized in a familiar swing role, providing support from both the bullpen and as an occasional starter, particularly given his remaining minor league option.
Beyond the Headlines
The Cubs' decision reflects a broader trend in MLB where teams meticulously manage player contracts and arbitration figures to maintain financial flexibility and competitive advantage. The use of club options and arbitration provides teams with mechanisms to control player costs, especially for players who perform adequately but whose market value might not align with pre-set option prices. For players like Assad, this means a degree of uncertainty regarding future earnings but also continued employment within a major league organization. The emphasis on 'swing roles' for pitchers like Assad underscores the evolving nature of pitching staff management, where versatility and the ability to transition between starting and relieving are highly valued in optimizing bullpen and rotation efficiency.
