Cubs Likely to DFA Adbert Alzolay to Free 40-Man Space

This was almost certainly going to happen at some point in the offseason, the only question was whether the Cubs would wait for Friday’s non-tender deadline. As Jesse Rogers reported, the team is likely to designate Adbert Alzolay for assignment in order to free up space on the 40-man for Owen Caissie and others. Tuesday is the deadline to protect prospects from the Rule 5 Draft in December and it’s also when qualifying offer decisions are due, though that only affects the Cubs indirectly.

Well, I guess it’s direct if we’re talking about Max Fried or another potential target who turns down the QO and will thus cost the Cubs two draft picks and $1 million in international pool money. Those penalties in addition to a nine-figure salary makes a pursuit of the lefty seem very dubious to me, at least until after things are settled on the Roki Sasaki front.

As for Alzolay, who won’t pitch until late in the 2025 season at best, it’s entirely possible the Cubs will try to work out a way to keep him in the organization on a minor league deal while he rehabs. Such a good dude and he’s been very sharp when healthy, now it’s just a matter of getting him back to that.