Cubs exercise 2019 option on Jose Quintana, claim Jerry Vasto on waivers

Roster moves, options and opt-outs are in the news this week, and the Chicago Cubs are no exception to those moves:

The exercising of Jose Quintana’s option was expected, and a no-brainer, really; it’s for $10.5 million.

Jerry Vasto is a 26-year-old lefthander who made a handful of relief appearances iwth the Rockies and Royals last season. He was a 24th-round pick of the Rockies in 2014 and was traded to the Royals for Drew Butera on August 31, 2018.

This could be another roster Jenga move, or Vasto might be in line to be on the Iowa shuttle in 2019. You can never have too many lefthanders.

Since all the players eligible for free agency were officially made free agents right after the World Series ended, that reduced the Cubs’ 40-man roster to 34 players. The addition of Vasto leaves the 40-man at 35. More roster decisions and moves are sure to come within the next few days.