|
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Villanova alum Matt Szczur is making a case to stick with the team even after Javier Baez comes off the disabled list (thumb). Manager Joe Maddon started the righty Szczur on Tuesday night -- he homered in his first at-bat -- against Los Angeles Angels lefty Andrew Heaney one night after Szczur delivered a three-run double in the Chicago Cubs 9-0 win. That came not long after the Villanova Wildcats won the NCAA men's basketball championship with a 3-pointer of their own. "It was poetic justice wasn't it?" Maddon said of the two 3s. "Give him an opportunity to get out there and play a little bit. We have to check him out." That implies the Cubs are contemplating what to do with Szczur when Baez is ready, considering the former player is out of options. It means he has to clear waivers if he's to be sent to Triple-A Iowa. Baez does not, though Maddon made it clear he had a spot on the Cubs when healthy. Of course that can change. A simple case can be made that Szczur has more value in the role being asked of him than Baez, though Baez has more potential and can play more positions. That's not to say the decision comes down to Baez or Szczur. The Cubs are carrying eight relief pitchers. One of them could go down to the minors, but that one would be a tough call as well. The last pitcher to make the team, Neil Ramirez, is out of options just as Szczur is. "The game has this cruel way of making its own decisions," Maddon said. "Let's see when that day happens, we'll make the appropriate decision at that time." But let's assume there are no new injuries and Szczur proves he's a better than decent option off the bench. He and Tommy La Stella are probably better pinch-hitters than Baez or Jorge Soler despite the talent disparity the latter players possess. It's an interesting question. Is a team better suited with extra starters coming off the bench or true utility guys who have perfected their role coming in late in games? If there's a major injury to a starter than there's no doubt who the replacement is, but for purely a bench position a case can be made for the lesser overall talent. "I'm excited just to be part of this team and help contribute," Szczur said. That sounds like someone just happy to be here. Baez and Soler have higher aspirations -- which they should -- but there is something about everyone understanding their roles. Having said that, Baez and Soler have shown every willingness to accept what the Cubs are asking of them, especially Baez considering he's learning multiple defensive positions. Maddon was asked directly if Szczur was making a case to stick around. "Could be," he responded.
|
