The Chicago Cubs are off to their best start in seven years, and they are not even at full strength. Justin Grimm has not pitched all season, though he is on the way back and will be back soon.
Grimm threw pen session Tuesday, close to pitching in a minor league game
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) April 29, 2015
Neil Ramirez is also working his way back from injury.
#Cubs @NAndrewRam playing catch in AZ. Not throwing off mound yet — Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) April 29, 2015
Tommy La Stella, who was the Cubs opening day second baseman is also nearing a return, though he might still be a ways away.
Finally, #Cubs La Stella throwing, doing rehab work in pool in AZ. Not hitting yet
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) April 29, 2015
Then there is Tsuyoshi Wada who was at Wrigley today throwing for pitching coach Chris Bosio after he had a few rehab starts for the Iowa Cubs.
#Cubs Wada in Chicago just for mechanics check up with Bosio. Will rejoin Iowa — Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) April 29, 2015
While none are expect to re-join the Cubs any time in the near future, they are all recovering and shall be back at some point. When that time comes is anyone’s guess, but I am sure glad that I am not the man who has to make those decisions. That happy fate belongs to Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer.
However, I will have a go at trying to figure out just what might happen, who knows I might even be right.
Let’s start with the two relievers who started the year on the team Grimm and Ramirez. Looking at the pitchers on the active roster, only Gonzalez German stands out as an obvious choice to demote to Iowa. After him, the Cubs have a tough choice to make. You could designate Phil Coke for assignment, or option Zach Rosscup back to the minors. Rosscup seems to have earned the favor and trust of Joe Maddon, so I am not so sure he would be the odd man out. Of course, the Cubs could also bite the bullet and designate Edwin Jackson for assignment when both are ready to return as well. Having two lefties in the bullpen would be a big help to a team who is in contention, and I am sure no fan would shed a tear if Jackson is sent packing. After all, he has not been used in many games.
If you want to complicate things further, imagine the roster move when Wada is brought back. Since he is actually pitching now in Iowa, he is likely to return to the Cubs much sooner than either Grimm or Ramirez. Send Germen down for Wada and worry about the rest when those times come I suppose. But easy decisions are not in the future for Cubs management.
Moving on to La Stella, the team has a few different options. They could keep him as a backup in Iowa for whenever they need him, or they can eliminate one of the current position players on the roster.
The list of players who could go when La Stella is ready is fairly lengthy, but who the unlucky man to lose his job is anyone’s guess.
Junior Lake was just brought back up to give the Cubs some more outfield depth, so you would have to imagine that his job is safe even when La Stella is ready to return.
Jonathan Herrera might seem like an obvious choice since he was the man who received the most playing time in La Stella’s absence, but he was a part of the team with La Stella when the season began. Even though that should not matter, that is something which might be taken into consideration.
Another thing to remember, is that the Cubs are carrying three catchers. I think we can safely say that Miguel Montero is safe. That leaves either David Ross or Welington Castillo.
From the beginning, after the Cubs traded for Montero and signed Ross, everyone saw the writing on the wall for Castillo, that he was going to be traded. After all, Ross is Jon Lester‘s personal catcher. Lester says that he does not need a personal catcher but Ross just so happens to catch him every time out. Not to mention that every team that was trying to land Lester was also in talks with Ross. Lester may say he does not need one, but connecting the dots appears easy.
I would love nothing more than to keep Castillo because he has done nothing but perform when called upon. Whether he gets asked to pinch hit or take a rare start, Castillo comes through in a big way. He is young, cheap and productive.
Ross on the other hand, is old, not so productive and while relatively cheap is is not really earning his keep. Designating Ross for Assignment might be the best move, though I am not sure that would be the most likely. In fact, I see that action as the least likely of them all. Sadly, I think because Lester seemingly depends on Ross being behind the plate for all his starts, that unfortunately makes Castillo dispensable, and a place holder.
Then we have Javier Baez, who has finally returned to baseball activities. He went to Mesa, Arizona for extended Spring Training before heading back to Iowa where he will play second base and shortstop while trying to figure out his swing. Once he does get the nod to return to the big leagues, then and only then do I see Herrera being relieved of his roster spot.
I am sure the Cubs are at least a week away (if not more) away from having to worry about any of these decisions, and perhaps a month away from having to worry about all of them. That day though, is coming, and none of the decisions will be easy.
Once again, I am glad that I am not Epstein or Hoyer.
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