The Cubs have an embarrassment of riches after winning the World Series last year. With a roster stacked at almost every single position, the Cubs are just sorting out the final bench spots this spring.
One those players on the proverbial roster bubble is 27-year-old outfielder Matt Szczur, who has been constantly bouncing between Triple A Iowa and the major league club. While Szczur possesses a decent bat alongside solid defense and base-running, Szczur's greatest asset to the Cubs was his options.
Now that Szczur has officially run out of minor league options, the Cubs have to decide between keeping the right-handed hitting Szczur as a fifth outfielder, the lefty infielder Tommy La Stella, or one of the younger pieces the Cubs have in their system (cough, cough Ian Happ).
Of course the Cubs could always carry a shorter bullpen, but that option seems unlikely, especially to keep a right-handed depth outfielder like Szczur. Now, it is worth mentioning that Joe Maddon has made it known to everyone that he loves Szczur, which makes sense because he does all the things Maddon loves. However, rumors were circulating that the Cubs might be interested in moving on from Szczur.
Well, the rumors are starting to gain some traction, and it could be close to the end of Matt Szczur's time in Chicago. According to Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs have been in contact with a few teams and are actively shopping the 27-year-old outfielder.Sources: #Cubs’ Matt Szczur among trade candidates #Braves considering for extra OFer. Szczur out of options; Cubs expected to keep him.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 21, 2017
Gonzalez did not name any players or teams that the could be involved in the deal, but the Cubs would probably take a low-level pitching arm. Szczur, for what it's worth, played in a career-high 107 games last year due to originally the Kyle Schwarber injury and then when Dexter Fowler went down for a month last summer. Szczur was alright in 2016, slashing .259/.312/.400 with 30 runs scored and an impressive .305 BABIP. While I know none of those numbers scream starter, on a team like the Braves where they don't expect to compete, Szczur makes sense as a cheap starter. The market for Szczur is not necessarily benefiting the Cubs, especially since moving the outfielder helps them more than another club. But the Cubs also won't feel pressure to move Szczur, and they won't just trade him to do it. I would expect the Cubs to look for more pitching, maybe a left-handed bullpen arm or another forgotten pitcher, similar to that of Eddie Butler or Alec Mills. But, a trade isn't guaranteed, with still another week of spring training left, there's still a chance of injury and other randomness. However, for those fans in love with the fringe outfielder, it might be time to find a new favorite player.According to @MDGonzales the #Cubs are actively shopping OF Matt Szczur
— Sean Sears (@sean_sears6) March 26, 2017
