5 Chicago Cubs Who Won’t Make it Through 2014 Spring Training
Five Cubs Who Won't Survive 2014 Spring Training
The Chicago Cubs aren’t expected to compete this season, and their roster will look very similar to the one that finished the 2013 campaign as they are still waiting to see some of the highly-touted prospects arrive at Wrigley Field. But that doesn’t mean that there won’t be some interesting battles to get one of the final spots on the roster once Spring Training arrives.
The Cubs have several core pieces on the roster already – like Anthony Rizzo, Jeff Samardzija and Starlin Castro – that need to bounce back in 2014, but they also have a number of holes all over the roster. A weak outfield that needs some tuning, serious questions marks in two infield positions, doubts about the rotation and possibly one or two bullpen spots certainly transform Spring Training into something interesting for the Cubs, but there are certain players who won’t be able to grab a spot on the MLB roster once everything is said and done.
Whether this is because there are better options or maybe because some moves will be made on potential alone – as the Cubs have nothing to lose and plenty to gain if some of the minor signings made this year pan out – five specific players won’t make it to the team. Their skill-set simply doesn’t match with what the Cubs are looking for this season, and they would be better trying to make it with another franchise.
Without further ado, these are five players who won’t survive Spring Training with the Cubs organization this year.
Juan Pablo Aravena is a sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @jparavenarant or add him to your network on Google
5. OF Casper Wells
The Cubs' outfield seems to be set, and with five spots to be handled between starters and reserves, it seems like Casper Wells won’t have a space on the MLB roster. Justin Ruggiano, Junior Lake, Ryan Sweeney and Nate Schierholtz appear to be penciled for four of those places, and Wells’ questionable defense and hit tool will ultimately doom him in the end.
4. OF Darnell McDonald
Darnell McDonald already spent time with the Cubs organization last season as a fifth outfielder, but he is certainly not needed this season. The Cubs have plenty of options to fill one role on the bench, and the presence of several prospects who could fill his role along with players who could bounce back – like Ryan Kalish – give him slim chances to make the 25-man roster.
3. IF Jeudy Valdez
Jeudy Valdez is a former San Diego Padres prospect who was signed this offseason in order to make the team as a utility player, but there’s too much competition for him to get a spot. He can play all over the infield and would add some versatility, but his aggressive approach is certainly a disadvantage when competing against players like Chris Valaika and Ryan Roberts for a final bench spot.
2. LHP Tsuyoshi Wada
Tsuyoshi Wada is a Japanese pitcher who relies more on changing speeds than power, and his finesse style doesn’t appear to mesh with what the Cubs are building in the bullpen. He is a lock to not break camp with the team once Spring Training is over.
1. LHP Jonathan Sanchez
A former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, Jonathan Sanchez was signed this offseason hoping to see him get his career back on track. But it won’t happen with the Cubs as he won’t make the cut in Spring Training.
Sanchez doesn’t have a spot in the rotation as it seems like the team is looking to add another veteran to the mix. His command issues make him a wild-card in the bullpen, but since there are already two lefties in James Russell and Wesley Wright, Sanchez won’t have what it takes to break camp with Chicago.
