Cubs claim former Braves pitcher Jimmy Herget off waivers

Brett Davis - USA Today Sports

by Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Fri Sep 13 20:00:32 GMT-04:00 2024

Despite the end of the MLB season coming in just over two weeks, it hasn't stopped the Cubs from making moves as they continue to stockpile players across their Minor League System. Friday saw them make another move, and this one is not only a surprise but also extremely sad.

In case you missed it, former top Prospect Brennen Davis is once again injured, and this time, it isn't his back. Instead, Davis suffered a broken leg when he landed awkwardly on first base, thus ending another season. At this point, Davis is no longer considered a future piece for the Cubs, and some might be wondering what his long-term future as a player looks like.

This is where the sad part comes in, as you have to feel for the kid. Part of breaking your leg comes with a 60-day IL stint, which is the case for Davis. For that to happen, the Cubs had to promote him to the Majors just to put him on the 60-day IL. You heard that right. Davis is indeed getting called up to the majors, but in doing so, he will not play, as he goes straight to the IL.

That is the kind of luck Davis has had. Despite showing top prospect potential again this season, he has become a liability, and the Cubs will be faced with a tough decision on what to do with him next year. In addition to the 60-day IL move, another roster move came through the organization as the Cubs continued to scour the market for potential steals.

Today, the Cubs landed another pitcher: Jimmy Herget, who was claimed off the waiver market and is now heading to Iowa. Hergert was part of the Braves system and has bounced around since breaking into the bigs.

The 31-year-old righty brings with him tons of deception and has logged 155 innings of big-league experience so far. During those innings, Herget has pitched very well, with a combined 3.54 ERA during his six seasons. A big reason for the ERA stems from an outstanding 2022 campaign; otherwise, his ERA would be approaching 4.00 for his career.

Although this is another depth move that won't get many people excited, it is intriguing.

He is in the final year of his minor league option deal, which means if he is on the Cubs roster at any point next season, he would have to be placed on the MLB roster before the start of the season.

You have to think the Cubs wanted to take a shot at him now to see what he can do, thus putting them in a better position to bring him back if they like what they see this season. Looking back at his career numbers, Herget has gone 7-9 across his career and has logged nine career saves. He has walked 47 and struck out 141, as his command has been very good for the most part.

Herget has seen time in the majors this season, a small sample size nonetheless, but with a 4.38 ERA across his eight games this season, the results weren't always the best. What did stand out was his overall command this season, as he walked three in 12 innings combined to 15 strikeouts.

This is really the first time in his career that he has shown the type of stuff that could blow you away, and perhaps the Cubs are hoping to use that to their advantage. Not much of a hard thrower, Herget lives in the 92 MPH range with his heater, as that pitch is more of a sinker than a straight heater.

To go with that comes one of the better sliders in the game, as it sits in the 81-83 MPH range and offers a late break. Some have gone on record to say his pitch is more of a parachute-breaking ball and often has hitters shaking their heads walking back to the dugout. Whatever the long-term play is for Herget, the Cubs are going to do whatever it takes to get the first look at him, as he should see some action in the final ten games.