Chicago Cubs: Potential options to replace Kyle Schwarber
This could be the time Jorge Soler steps up and really shows the Chicago Cubs what he’s capable of, as he’s most likely the favorite to be the full-time replacement for Schwarber this season. Following the first three games of this season, Soler has 10 plate appearances, totaling one hit and one RBI. He also walked once and struck out three times.
For Soler, even though his bat is important, the Cubs need him to man left field as well, maybe more importantly than his presence at the plate due to the fact of how loaded the rest of the Cubs lineup is.
Last season, Solar played in 101 games with the Cubs, his second MLB season, in which he had a .262 batting average with a .324 on-base percentage and .399 slugging percentage. In the field, he has a .993 fielding percentage, with those games coming in right field.
Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com wrote this of Soler on Friday night:
“Maddon rightly preached patience during the spring for the only Cuban and non-English-speaking player on the team. Undoubtedly the transition to the United States has been tough, but it’s been several years and it’s time to find out who Soler is as a player.”
On Friday, in the 3-2 loss by the Cubs to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Soler was the left fielder, batting 1-for-4.
Like many believe, this job is Soler’s to lose now, and if he doesn’t produce better at the MLB level than he ever has, well, the Cubs have the depth within their organization to find someone else to fill the role.
The question is how much time will Soler get to become accustomed with his new starting role, because like mentioned before, the Cubs are predicted and built to compete not just in the NL Central, but in the postseason as well. First they’ll have to be a well-oiled machine. Soler’s play, even though he won’t be the main focal point, has to be at the highest level possible and maybe then some with the pressures he’ll be facing from here on out.
Next: Shane Victorino
If the Cubs need a veteran presence on the roster, they did sign veteran Shane Victorino to a minor league deal this offseason, providing the 35-year-old still has something left in the tank. In a part-time role, Victorino would be great for the Cubs, but just having him around as these young Cubs continue to grow as major leaguers would be even better for the franchise.
Victorino is a two-time Word Series champion with the Philadelphia Phillies (’08) and the Boston Red Sox (’13), but when he was signed by the Cubs in February, he understood what his role would be with the team in ’16.
Carrie Muskat of MLB.com quoted Victorino during the offseason in an article:
“I’m just ready for an opportunity and hope to be part of something special. I’ve been blessed in my career to be part of a couple special championships in special cities. I tell myself, being a fan of the game, when there’s a 100-plus-year drought in championships, you always want to be the first. That’s the goal.”
Victorino could be used in a rotation of left fielders this season, and though he’s played in just a combined 172 games in the past four seasons, in 38 games with the Los Angeles Angels last season he batted .214 but had 18 hits, including two doubles and two triples. He also walked 17 times.
If Victorino were to become a part of the 25-man roster with the injury to Schwarber, he would be like having another coach, but he still could get the job in a limited role if the Cubs use a platoon or rotation of left fielders for the remainder of the season.
In late March the Cubs released, then re-signed Victorino to a minor league deal.
Next: Matt Szczur
In 26-year-old Matt Szczur, the reserve outfielder could see some additional playing time this season, and already this season he’s played in three games with seven at-bats entering Saturday. Thus far in ’16, Szczur has four hits, scoring two runs. Of those hits, one has been a double and one was a home run, as his very early season batting average is .571 after the handful of at-bats.
Last season, Szczur played in 47 games for the Cubs, a season where he batted .222 but did have five doubles, and one home run. With his hitting, he was able to tally eight RBIs in ’15, and already this season Szczur has collected four RBIs.
He also played three of 26 games in left field last season with a 1.000 fielding percentage, and in parts of three seasons with Chicago he’s yet to commit an error, which is a total of 75 chances in 62 games in the field.
This season, Szczur has played 15 innings in left field entering this weekend’s games, but he’s going to have to compete with Jorge Soler for playing time. Would the Cubs be better off keeping him in a reserve role and calling upon him when needed?
It is a tricky situation the Cubs are in, but it could be a lot worse. With the depth on their roster, the Cubs have Szczur as one of a few different options moving forward.
Next: Kris Bryant
The Cubs already have Kris Bryant as their starting third baseman, and for good reason, as the 24-year-old has excelled during his short tenure as a major leaguer. Bryant was the player moved to left field when Schwarber tore his ACL and LCL this week, and last season Bryant played eight regular season games in left field for Joe Maddon’s Cubs.
In nine games in left field during his two MLB seasons, Bryant has yet to commit an error in left field. If Bryant moves to left field, Tommy La Stella can fill in the third base role and get his time in with the Cubs as well.
Last season, Bryant was an All-Star and the NL Rookie of the Year, but he’s going to be so much more during his career. In that rookie campaign, the former first-round draft pick batted .275 with a .369 on-base percentage and .488 slugging percentage. He played in 151 games, tallying 87 runs, 154 hits (31 doubles, five triples, 26 home runs), 77 walks and 99 RBIs in 650 plate appearances.
His WAR is especially important as it was 5.9 last season, so having a player with a Wins Above Replacement that high just has to be in the lineup, whether it be at third base or left field, which the Cubs will do.
I don’t expect Bryant to be the full-time left field replacement, but he’ll play at the position probably more than he did last season, providing the Cubs with a great replacement for the injured Schwarber.
Next: Javier Baez
Though he’s currently injured and in extended Spring Training, the Cubs could potentially use Javier Baez as a left fielder option as he can play both the infield and the outfield for the franchise.
Patrick Mooney of CSNChicago.com wrote this of the setback for Baez recently:
“Baez experienced another setback this week while trying to come back from a thumb injury, getting hit by a pitch that buzzed the extended earflap on his helmet during a game in extended spring training. That makes it unlikely he will be ready for Monday’s home opener at Wrigley Field.”
Though Baez isn’t an option today or most likely next week, once he is healed up, it is a possibility the Cubs bring the 23-year-old onto the roster to play a platoon of positions, including outfield.
Baez did play in 28 games for Chicago last season, where he batted .289 with four runs, 22 hits (six doubles, one home run), and though he hasn’t had any time in the professional levels in the outfield, he did begin to practice playing in the outfield this offseason.
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Sooner rather than later, we’ll see Baez on the Cubs’ major league roster, giving them yet another option to fill in for Schwarber for the remainder of this long season.