In a new move, Chicago Cubs designate Bryan LaHair – MLB News
While Chicago Cubs made a number of moves on Tuesday, November 20, they also designated Bryan LaHair for assignment. There were reports that the Cubs intend to work with the player to sign him with a club in Japan.
This is pretty significant. Given the fact that he happens to be an experienced player, the Cubs did not seem to have been mulling over such a plan of action. However, until the matters get some clarity, nothing can be said in this regard.
For anyone following the Chicago Cubs, the club’s decision to replace him from first-base with Anthony Rizzo early in June was something that came as a surprise. However, the choice did not prove wrong in the long run.
While LaHair became the All-Star this year, smashing 14 home-runs and having 30 RBIs to his credit with .286 batting average. His performance post All-Star Game was not up to the mark and almost verged on the disappointing.
After his replacement, he served as a bench player for the rest of the season. When he spoke to the media back in October, there apparently was no disappointment and bitterness.
"I'm just taking all the positives out of this year, I'm not taking any negatives," LaHair said while commenting on his overall performance this past season. "I got a chance to play early this year, and I did well. I played off the bench in the second half, and I thought I did well."
Part of the reason why Bryan LaHair was promoted to Major League was because of his impressive statistics there. The fact that he did not get to play regularly after the All-Star Game might also have reversed the gains he initially made with the satisfactory performance in the first-half of the season.
However, now that the move has been made, it is to be seen what the Cubs do next. After a season wherein the club saw 101 losses out of 162 games, it had a lot to ponder over. In rebuilding phase, they do need players who perform consistently, and live up to the expectations of the club.
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