Cubs Announce Roster Swap Prior To Saturday’s Game
The Chicago Cubs have struggled to generate offense lately. This can be traced back to losing Seiya Suzuki, who led the team in several offensive categories. Then, the Cubs lost Cody Bellinger to a couple of fractured ribs. Since then, the Cubs have had sparks, but the overall success of the offense has declined.
Mike Tauchman has been part of the Cubs roster since the beginning and has done more than anyone could ask for to fill in. A cast of young prospects has been called on to help the Cubs in Chicago and sent down to make room for others. Alexander Canario and Pete-Crow Armstrong were called up primarily to fill the voids Suzuki and Bellinger left and have stayed through the duration.
Miles Mastrobuoni started the season with the Cubs on the MLB roster. Through thirteen plate appearances in 2024, he did not record a hit. His WAR was a -0.1. A couple of weeks ago, manager Craig Counsell elected to send Mastrobuoni down to AAA Iowa and bring Matt Mervis up to give him a chance to spark the offense. However, before Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, a move has been made to reverse this transaction.
Cubs Bring Mastrobuoni Back, Send Mervis To AAA
Matt Mervis was given a chance in nine games for the Cubs. In 28 plate appearances, Mervis recorded just three hits and registered a .115 batting average. His WAR was a -0.6. It looks like his spark was not enough for the Cubs, so they are reversing the move. Mastrobuoni is back with the Cubs, and Mervis is headed back to AAA Iowa.
The Cubs still have a winning record and are well within the hunt for the postseason, but the offense generated at the beginning of the year has not continued. Yes, there is some big money on the injured list right now. Yes, the bullpen has not been able to hold the lead. The run support has just not been there.
The pitchers are tasked with not allowing any runs, and the offense is tasked with scoring as many runs as possible. Neither is going to be perfect 162 times a year. They just need to find a happy compromise. Better days are coming for this team as it regains health.