The Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants were recently connected amid reports that the Giants were aggressively pursuing Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner. While those rumors were picking up steam, Chicago claimed former Giants outfielder Justin Dean after San Francisco designated him for assignment following the addition of Tyler Mahle.
Chicago Cubs claim Justin Dean off waivers
Jul 18, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer walks on the sidelines before a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Dean, 29, made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025. He was used almost exclusively as a pinch runner, appearing in 18 regular-season games and 13 postseason contests while recording just two at-bats, both of which came during the regular season. In early November, the Dodgers out-righted him and he subsequently was claimed by the Giants.
As a minor-league hitter, Dean has shown an ability to draw walks and impact the game on the bases. His single-season highs include 71 walks in 2023 and 61 stolen bases in 2024. While strikeouts have been a concern, he still posted a respectable .289/.378/.431 slash line across 90 Triple-A games last season.
By Chicago claiming Dean, he becomes the 38th member of their 40-man roster and provides depth to their outfield. He has all three of his minor league options remaining, and if he pans out, he could be controllable for the foreseeable future, as he has just 52 days of MLB service time under his belt.
While most of the recent headlines tying the Cubs and Giants together centered on a potential Hoerner trade, Chicago ultimately walked away with a different piece from San Francisco’s roster, without having to make a roster move of their own. Ultimately, Dean represents a low-risk pickup who could provide value both in the short term and potentially well into the future
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