Cubs trim roster to 44

The Cubs announced a series of roster moves today, bringing down their Spring Training roster to 44 and starting to give some clarity in roster battles.

The most relevant cuts were on the pitcher side as the team optioned both 2019 Pacific Coast League pitcher of the year Colin Rea and top prospect Adbert Alzolay to AAA Iowa which leaves the 5th starter competition between Tyler Chatwood and Alec Mills. Chatwood is presumed to have the advantage due to his experience and contract, but Mills is starting to build a very solid case for that role due to his single earned run allowed in nine and two thirds innings pitched.

SS Zack Short was considered a longshot for a bench role, but he will take his excellent batting eye to AAA Iowa and continue to develop his other skills while trying to be useful as a utility infielder. I would expect him up at the big league level towards the tail end of the season.

The most significant, but expected cut, was catcher Miguel Amaya. Who was ranked by Baseball Prospectus as the 78th best prospect in baseball. He is considered an excellent defensive catcher already, but the hitting is still a work in progress. He hit .235/.351/.402 for Class-A Myrtle Beach in 410 plate appearances. He will go to AA Tennessee and continue to hone his skills, but he likely won't be big league ready till mid 2021/22.

Trent Giambrone was assigned to minor league camp and the 26-year old former 25th round pick will look to build on a solid season at AAA where he hit .241/.314/.464 with 23 home runs in 478 plate appearances in the very hitter friendly PCL. If he can continue to build on his numbers, especially with the power, he could see himself playing at the Friendly Confines by summer.

Corban Joseph, Noelle Cuevas, and Carlos Asuaje weren't considered significant threats to make the roster, and will all go to Iowa to serve as depth.

The Cubs also reacquired Michael Rucker from the Baltimore Orioles who had selected him in the Rule V draft. He will not make the big league roster, but could be someone to pay attention to in the minor leagues this year. In 34 appearances for AA Tennessee last season he posted a 4.28 ERA in 75.2 innings pitched with 89 strikeouts with just 22 walks. His issue seemed to be with hits and home runs as he allowed 76 hits with 10 of them leaving the yard.