NEWSLETTER
The Cubs completed a series of roster movies ahead of tonight’s series opener against the White Sox, primarily to add some depth to their infield with Kris Bryant still out and David Bote banged up.
Mainly, they’ve added utility infielder Patrick Wisdom, optioning designated (lefty) hitter and deadline acquisition Jose Martinez:
Cubs roster move:
INF Patrick Wisdom contract selected from South Bend. DH Jose Martinez optioned.
To clear room on 40-man for Wisdom, RHP Manny Rodriguez recalled from AA and placed on 45-day IL.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 25, 2020
Again: To make room for Wisdom on the active roster, Jose Martinez was optioned back to South Bend. To make room for Wisdom on the 40-man roster, the Cubs called Manny Rodriguez up so that they could put him on the extended 45-day IL (you have to be active to be added to the 45-day IL, where you continued to accrue service time). It’s all quite procedural.
As for the impact, well, let’s talk about it from the perspective of each player.
Jose Martinez was brought into Chicago at the deadline to help the Cubs with their horrendous production against left-handed pitchers. Martinez had historically handled lefties quite well and although it took a legitimate prospect to get him, I did support the move. Unfortunately, it just hasn’t worked out. At all. Across two stints with the Cubs since September 1st, Martinez has gone hitless in 22 plate appearances, working just one walk in one game. I really have no clue what his future holds, but there’s probably no way he makes the playoff roster at this point (unless the Cubs just really believe in history regressing).
Patrick Wisdom hit well for the Cardinals back in 2018, but didn’t much of anything for the Rangers last season. He signed on with the Mariners last November, but was released earlier this year. The Cubs picked him up on August 23rd on a Minor League deal, so this’ll be the first we’ve seen of him. But here’s the thing: Wisdom isn’t exactly a true “utility” infielder. He’s a corner infielder. Full stop. His positions are first base and third base and so his presence could be saying something about the bumps and bruises experienced by the Cubs primary and backup third basemen (Kris Bryant and David Bote). If it came down to it, Nico Hoerner will probably continue getting reps at third base in either of their absence, so this is still probably more about the bench than anything else.
And, to that end (before I published), yeah:
Ross explained the Wisdom move today was more about getting more infield depth for Cubs right now.
Bote had a "flare-up", Bryant obviously still hurt and then Nico/Kipnis/Javy already playing.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) September 25, 2020
