Chicago Cubs gradually filling the roster – MLB News
Chicago Cubs search for the right candidates to fill the empty spots continues. They have recently added free-agent pitcher Scott Baker and the backup catcher Dioner Navarro. The one-year contract, worth $1.75 million with Navarro, however, is a significant move.
He is a player who has represented some of baseball’s leading teams, chief among whom are the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers. This past season, he had played for the Reds, appearing in a total of 24 games with .290 batting average.
The Cubs did not have any empty spot when it came to the catcher. Welington Castillo has been a regular feature for the Cubs, playing for the team in 52 games only in the past season, hitting .265.
His being a backup catcher will be a harbinger of good things to come for the Cubs both defensively and offensively given his consistency as a batter.
The fact that he was in the past, 2008 – to be exact, an All-Star, as well sets him apart when he was with the Tampa Bay Rays. Importantly, in the past, he was also a team-mate of Matt Garza, the Cubs’ starter who will be part of rotation in the coming season.
Since 2004, he has held 11th best percentage of any catcher in the big league for having thrown 25.7 percent of baserunners looking to steal. That, the Cubs expect, will be seen in the coming season.
Along with Navarro, the Cubs had previously brought in Scott Baker – the free agent pitcher as well. That was meant to fill the spot in the rotation. Short of one pitcher to have five starters, the Cubs seem to be all done at least with the number required for rotation in the next season.
However, Baker comes after he had Tommy John surgery. Having a history of injuries may well be problematic for him and may raise questions about Cubs’ choice of signing a contract with this pitcher. The president of baseball operations – Theo Epstein, has an altogether different view.
He would even use the pitcher on Opening Day provided he is fit.
"He understands that a lot of Tommy John rehab is about your shoulder and getting your shoulder in as strong condition as possible. He's put the work in to get himself on an excellent timetable. He has every day plotted out from here to spring training,” said Theo Epstein.
He added, “If things go perfectly he will be stretched out to about five or six innings by that first week of the season. We're going to use good judgment every step of the way. It's not important if it's Opening Day or 10 days into the season as it is that he comes back healthy."
It will be interesting to see how the different offseason moves by the Cubs can increase their competitiveness in the upcoming regular season.
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