The Rundown: Lake, Rosscup, Schlitter Optioned to Triple-A; 3 Players Battling for 2 Spots; Jumbotron Ready; Dingers!
The Cubs optioned three more players to Triple-A Iowa yesterday: OF Junior Lake, LHP Zac Rosscup and RHP Brian Schlitter. Only Lake really had a shot at making the team after having a nice spring.
Lake has a lot of athletic ability and used to play the infield, but as we saw last season, he can have a pretty hard time making contact at the plate.
Mark Gonzales says three players — infielder Jonathon Herrera and outfielders Ryan Sweeney and Matt Szczur — will be battling for two spots.
In my eyes, Szczur has clearly won a job after pounding five homeruns and hitting .349, but it could come down to whether the Cubs want to carry another infielder.
Joe Maddon said yesterday that he will use a rotation at second and third base, among Arismendy Alcantara, Tommmy La Stella, Mike Olt and Herrera (if he makes the team). On Wednesday, Maddon said to Jesse Rogers about Herrera: “The fact that he’s so versatile makes a big difference.”
We know the Cubs manager highly values versatility, so maybe Herrera has a better shot than I originally thought. It would kind of be a shame if Szczur doesn’t make it out of camp, although it’s not like he wouldn’t/couldn’t come up at some other point during the year.
Sweeney is still under contract for this year for $1.5 million, which very well could be a reason to put him on the Opening Day roster.
Jumbotron: You like?
It almost doesn’t seem real yet — and probably won’t for me until I see it in person — but the left-field video board is complete and ready for Opening Night April 5:
Jumbo is now complete via @DP3P0 #WrigleyRenovations #WrigleyField #1060Project #Cubs pic.twitter.com/AnTWZoFpu0
— Wrigley Report (@wrigleyreport) April 1, 2015
I feel like most people are in favor of the Jumbotron, but I definitely know a few who are adamantly against it. I am not one of those people, and I think they will get used to it eventually — if not quickly.
I don’t think it will ruin the magic of Wrigley Field. People won’t all of a sudden forget Wrigley is located in the middle of a neighborhood, which adds to the charm.
Instead, you’ll be able to see replays. You’ll be able to see both teams’ full lineups (which will be very convenient with Joe Maddon and his crazy lineup ideas in the Cubs dugout). You’ll have access to more stats.
And as an added plus, it will help provide needed revenue streams to the Cubs.
Ultimately, I’m on-board with this board.
Other notes
* If you missed the Cubs’ four homeruns from yesterday’s win over the Brewers, here’s a video. I love that Tommy La Stella and Anthony Rizzo go to the opposite field. And I love Soler’s homer because it’s an absolute laser.