The Cubs had to open up a 40-man spot for today’s fill-in starting pitcher Adrian Sampson, and it’s outfielder Johneshwy Fargas getting designated for assignment.
Fargas, 26, came to the Cubs via a waiver claim in the lead up to the Trade Deadline, as the Cubs rightly knew they’d probably need some guys to call up if they didn’t want to push any of the prospects. A good glove and a good speed guy, Fargas just hasn’t yet shown the ability to hit consistently in that Triple-A/MLB range. He’s a guy you love to have in your organization, but you might not always have a 40-man spot for him.
Because there are no more August trades for players on the 40-man, I’m thinking there’s a good chance that Fargas gets claimed by a contender, who’ll option him to Triple-A, and stash him for September when rosters expand. Then he can be their “speed guy.”
As for Sampson, we wrote him up yesterday right here if you’re unfamiliar.