April 9, 2015

OPENING DAY ROSTER: CUBS

The Cubs 2015 Opening Day roster had a few surprises.

Spring training pick ups Jason Motte and Phil Coke took spots away from Felix Doubront (released), Zac Rosscup and/or Blake Parker. It was also surprising that Edwin Jackson made the roster as a reliever. With so many teams having pitchers going down with Tommy John issues, there should have been a trade market for Jackson, if the Cubs were willing to eat most of his contract. Jackson now fills the role of mop-up long relief or spot starter, something he has not done in his career.

The other major surprise was the Cubs keeping three catchers on the roster. Welington Castillo was the odd man out with the Cubs bringing in Jon Lester's personal catcher David Ross and trading for Miguel Montero. Castillo is capable of being a starter catcher on most clubs (example, Geo Soto started yesterday's the White Sox road opener against the Royals.) Most people predicted that Castillo would be traded this spring since there is a major league catching shortage. But apparently, the Cubs were asking too much for Castillo.

The Cubs also went against normal perception by keeping only four pure outfielders (Chris Coghlan, Dexter Fowler, Jorge Soler and Matt Szczur.) Instead, the Cubs decided to keep more utility players like Arismendy Alcantara (who can play CF) and Tommy LaStella and Jonathan Herrera in the infield. Herrera is a 30 year old, replacement level (6 years, 1.6 career WAR) journeyman who can play 3B, SS and 2B.

The starters were foregone conclusion before camp broke: 1) Lester, 2) Jake Arrieta, 3) Jason Hammel, 4) Travis Wood, and 5) Kyle Hendricks.

The bullpen holdovers were also a given: closer Hector Rondon, set-up man Pedro Strop, late inning relievers Jason Grimm and Neil Ramirez. Coke is the only left hander in the bullpen.

The Cubs kept 12 pitchers and 3 catchers on the roster which puts a strain on Joe Maddon's bench options.