Joe Mather poised to become a position player in the Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum hinted on Monday, March 19, that Joe Mather might well be the strongest contender to book the spot for position player. The 29 year old player has shown exceptionally good performance lately; doubling his chances to retain the position in the side.
The Chicago Cubs’ ability on Monday to rebound and defeat the Seattle Mariners by 12-7 suggested the club has become ever solidified offensively. Mather’s role in defence, it is pertinent to mention, was key to help elevate the team.
In his first at-bat against the club, he managed to knock a two-run single. Mather also has a .379 average so far with two homers to his credit, hitting seven RBIs. Such a record actually strengthens his case for becoming the position player.
That is what the team manager also referred to when he spoke to press on Monday.
"I'd be lying if I said it was real close," Sveum said. "The guy's doing everything he possibly can. Hitting the ball out of the ballpark. He's hit all kinds of pitching so far. He's hit velocity, he's hit sidearmers, sidearm right-handers. Played a heck of a center field in Vegas. He can steal you a base. It's been pretty impressive, and he suits our lineup with all the corner guys being left-handed."
The Chicago Cubs struggled a bit in Monday’s game to have a better defence erected. Although they might not put a good performance as far as pitching is concerned, the offence did what was needed, taking the lead to 12 to clinch a victory.
With that perfectly executed, the club will now decide on the Opening Day roster. He thinks it will be done by next week. "We'll probably pair down some here after the off-day [Wednesday]," Sveum said. "A week from now, you probably pretty much [have] everything done.”
With Mather slating his name in the position he ought to be, the Cubs seem to have put all preparation in place prior to the Opening Day. It will be interesting to see what, if any, new changes pop up when the season begins.
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