Blue Jays Claim Former Cubs Infielder Off Waivers in Latest Roster Shuffle
As spring training ramps up across Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays continue shaping the edges of their roster, making a series of calculated depth moves that could quietly influence the organization’s 2026 outlook.
On Wednesday, Toronto announced it has claimed infielder Ben Cowles off waivers from the Chicago Cubs, marking another chapter in the 26-year-old’s winding professional journey.
The corresponding move involved transferring right-hander Bowden Francis to the 60-day injured list, a procedural adjustment that clears roster space but carries longer-term implications for the Blue Jays’ pitching depth.
Cowles’ Waiver Journey and Rule 5 Background
Cowles’ path to Toronto has been anything but linear.
Originally selected by the Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft in November 2024, he arrived in Chicago as a developmental project with defensive versatility and base-stealing upside.
However, roster crunches forced the Cubs to designate him for assignment twice, most recently after signing veteran reliever Shelby Miller, leaving Cowles in the uncertainty of DFA limbo yet again.
Toronto’s front office, always attentive to controllable infield depth, seized the opportunity to claim him before he cleared waivers.
That decision underscores a familiar organizational philosophy: prioritize athletic versatility and defensive competence at the margins of the 40-man roster.
What Cowles Brings to the Blue Jays
Cowles profiles as a speed-and-defense infielder with positional flexibility across second base, shortstop, and third base, offering roster insurance at three premium defensive spots.
Over the past four minor league seasons, he has consistently posted double-digit stolen base totals, reinforcing his value as a baserunning threat in late-game situations.
Defensively, evaluators cite steady footwork, reliable hands, and above-average instincts rather than flashy arm strength or highlight-reel range.
Offensively, however, the evaluation becomes more nuanced.
Cowles enjoyed a breakout 2024 campaign at Double-A, slashing .286/.372/.457 with a 141 wRC+, numbers that positioned him as a legitimate upside candidate at the plate.
That production influenced Chicago’s decision to grant him a 40-man roster spot at season’s end after acquiring him from the Yankees in the Mark Leiter Jr. trade.
Yet the momentum did not fully translate in 2025.
Across 128 games split between the Cubs’ and White Sox’ Triple-A affiliates, Cowles batted .235 with nine home runs and posted a .671 OPS, numbers that raised renewed questions about his offensive ceiling against upper-minors pitching.
For Toronto, the acquisition is less about immediate lineup contribution and more about organizational depth with developmental runway.
Fit Within Toronto’s 2026 Roster Structure
At present, there is no clear path for Cowles to break camp with the major league club barring injury or a standout spring performance.
The Blue Jays’ projected Opening Day infield alignment is largely set, and the organization appears focused on refining its core rather than experimenting with fringe options.
If Cowles remains on the 40-man roster through camp, the most probable scenario involves him opening 2026 in Triple-A Buffalo, where he can refine his offensive approach while serving as immediate call-up insurance.
Spring training exhibition games will provide Toronto’s coaching staff and player development personnel an extended look at his swing mechanics, contact quality, and situational awareness.
The Blue Jays have shown in recent seasons that they are willing to rotate depth pieces aggressively, and Cowles’ roster status could fluctuate again depending on camp evaluations and health developments elsewhere on the roster.
Bowden Francis and the Bigger Picture
The transfer of Bowden Francis to the 60-day injured list signals a longer-term absence, as reports indicate he is expected to miss the entire 2026 season.
For Toronto, that loss affects rotational depth more than immediate bullpen configuration, increasing the importance of maintaining flexibility throughout camp.
Roster churn during February and March often reflects strategic positioning rather than definitive long-term commitments.
Claiming Cowles fits that pattern.
It is a low-risk move with potential upside, offering athletic depth at a premium defensive profile while preserving future optionality.
As exhibition games begin this weekend, Toronto’s front office will continue evaluating whether Cowles can solidify his place or whether this waiver claim becomes another brief stop in a still-unsettled professional journey.
For now, the Blue Jays add speed, versatility, and opportunity — all without sacrificing core stability as they prepare for the 2026 campaign.
