The Cubs have an embarrassment of riches after winning the World Series last year. With a roster stacked at almost every single position, the Cubs are just sorting out the final bench spots this spring.
One those players on the proverbial roster bubble is 27-year-old outfielder Matt Szczur, who has been constantly bouncing between Triple A Iowa and the major league club. While Szczur possesses a decent bat alongside solid defense and base-running, Szczur’s greatest asset to the Cubs was his options.
Now that Szczur has officially run out of minor league options, the Cubs have to decide between keeping the right-handed hitting Szczur as a fifth outfielder, the lefty infielder Tommy La Stella, or one of the younger pieces the Cubs have in their system (cough, cough Ian Happ).
Of course the Cubs could always carry a shorter bullpen, but that option seems unlikely, especially to keep a right-handed depth outfielder like Szczur. Now, it is worth mentioning that Joe Maddon has made it known to everyone that he loves Szczur, which makes sense because he does all the things Maddon loves. However, rumors were circulating that the Cubs might be interested in moving on from Szczur.
Sources: #Cubs’ Matt Szczur among trade candidates #Braves considering for extra OFer. Szczur out of options; Cubs expected to keep him.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 21, 2017
Well, the rumors are starting to gain some traction, and it could be close to the end of Matt Szczur’s time in Chicago.
