With today’s waiver claim of Sergio Alcantara, the Cubs were going to have to do “something” before they could officially add all three of their recent free agent signings, Joc Pederson, Trevor Williams, and Andrew Chafin. That “something” turned out to be a Max Schrock DFA, which keeps the 40-man roster at a full 40.
Schrock, 26, was one of the Cubs’ first pickups of the offseason, claimed on waivers back in October. He is a high-contact, no-power type, and since the Cubs just picked up a similar profile in Alcantara (with a better glove and the ability to play shortstop), you could see why Schrock is the first guy to get bumped. On the flip side, though, Schrock still has minor league options remaining, while Alcantara does not. Normally, if it was a close call, the option-less guy would get the bump. Cubs must really like Alcantara.
As for Schrock, the Cubs now have seven days to trade, waive, or release Schrock, and you can presume they’ll hope he gets through waivers and can be outrighted as depth to Iowa.