One of the 2025 Dodgers' World Series heroes quietly found a new NL home

It's already been quite the offseason for former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Justin Dean. Dean's heads-up play in Game 6 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays was one of the key moments that helped the Dodgers secure their second consecutive title. While the offseason started with a parade, he was displaced as soon as the offseason started.

Dean was quickly snatched up by the San Francisco Giants but didn't even reach spring training with the Dodgers' rival. After the Giants signed veteran starting pitcher Tyler Mahle to a one-year deal last week, Dean was designated for assignment.

Justin Dean lands with NL contender who recently rose from offseason slumber

Dean didn't have to wait long for his new team as the Chicago Cubs claimed him off waivers on Tuesday.

After spending the first few months of the offseason dormant, the Cubs have been aggressive over the last week. They traded their top prospect, Owen Caissie, as part of a deal for Miami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera. With Cabrera making less than $5 million, that paved the way for the Cubs to sign Alex Bregman to a five-year deal worth $175 million.

Between Caissie trade and losing Kyle Tucker in free agency, the Cubs were in need of outfield depth. Their starting trio is set with Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki, but Dean could be a candidate to break camp as their fourth outfielder. Dean also has all of his minor-league options remaining, so the Cubs can also stash him in Triple-A if needed.

If nothing else, given his speed and glove-first tendencies, Dean could be an ideal September call-up for the Cubs with the goal of serving in a similar role that he had with the Dodgers last fall.

Sure, it would have been cool for Dean to stick around in Los Angeles, especially now that he will be forever etched in team history. But the silver lining is that Dodgers fans don't need to be worried about watching him with the Giants.