White Sox Claim Jacob Turner From Cubs

Jacob Turner, who was acquired by the Cubs in a trade for two minor leaguers in August 2014 and who pitched briefly for the team that year, is now a member of the White Sox, according to MLB Trade Rumors:

The White Sox have claimed right-hander Jacob Turner off waivers from the Cubs, according to the club’s transactions page at MLB.com. Turner, 24, didn’t pitch in the Majors this season, spending most of the year on the 60-day disabled list due to  a strained right flexor tendon and right shoulder inflammation.

Well, the Cubs tried to hang on to Turner as long as they could, but obviously with the team's fortunes turning around, they likely felt they couldn't keep him on the 40-man roster anymore. They likely waived him hoping he'd clear and they could outright him to Triple-A Iowa, but the White Sox intervened. The last time he pitched in a Cubs uniform was in spring training against the Giants, when the photo above was taken.

For the Sox, it's probably a good move. They're not likely going to be contenders in 2016 and they could probably afford to keep him on their 25-man roster (since he's out of options) all year and see what he can do. As the MLBTR article points out, he's still just 24.

Good luck to Turner, who represents a different era in Cubs history, even though it's only a couple of years ago. He and Mike Olt can swap ex-Cub stories over on the South Side. The move leaves the Cubs' 40-man roster still at 40, because Turner was on the 60-day DL.

Due to this breaking news, the World Series Game 1 thread will post at 6:30 p.m. CT.