MLBTR reports on the Cubs players in camp who are out of options.
The following 40-man roster players have less than five years service
time and are out of minor league options. That means they must clear
waivers before being sent to the minors, so the team would be at risk of
losing them in attempting to do so. I’ve included players on multiyear
deals. This list was compiled through MLBTR’s sources.
The Cubs who are out of options are P Drake Britton, C Welington Castillo, P Felix Doubront, P Neil Ramirez, P Hector Rondon, P Pedro Strop, P Jacob Turner and P Travis Wood.
Wood, Turner, and Tsuyoshi Wada
were expected to battle for the Cubs’ fifth starter job this spring.
Turner has been shut down due to a flexor strain and bone bruise on his
elbow, and Wada has had hamstring issues. Both could wind up on disabled list or on an injury report which could allow them to clear waivers.
Wood's solid spring makes him the favorite to become the fifth starter. That would force Edwin Jackson and his $22 million contract as the bullpen's long, mop up reliever, unless the Cubs can trade him (which is doubtful).
Rondon, Strop, Ramirez, newly acquired Jason Motte, Justin Grimm all appear to have roster spots.
Lefty Phil Coke is expected to break camp as the team’s primary southpaw reliever.
That leaves one potential spot for Jackson, out of options lefties
Britton and Doubront, and a host of other candidates including Wada if
his groin injury proves minor. Doubront has been hit hard in his two
spring outings, while Britton began his spring with five scoreless innings.
The Cubs have been hinting that they may carry three catchers on the roster. It would make sense if 39 year old David Ross cannot make the grade as Jon Lester's personal catcher. The versatility of Arismendy Alcantara and Tommy LaStella allows the super utility players to add another pitcher in the pen or handle the luxury of a third catcher.
It would seem that the Cubs liked Doubront as a potential starter. The core of last year's bullpen was solid. Coke and Britton would probably be the lefties of choice of Maddon if the season started tomorrow, with Jackson not being on the roster.
