Catcher David Ross told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that he will return to the Cubs next season rather than retire. Ross, who turns 39 in March, has one more year to go on his contract.
“It was a great ride,” Ross said of the Cubs’ postseason run. “It’s more sad we didn’t play well and [the Mets] played great. A lot of positives as I look back, but thought we had a legit chance at the World Series. I really wanted to get [Jon] Lester and [Jake] Arrieta another start.”
Ross has never been known for his bat, but he still had a rough season even by those depressed standards. The veteran slashed .176/.267/.252 across 182 plate appearances on the year. However, the Cubs likely value Ross more for his defensive skills, veteran leadership, and his ability to work with the team’s pitchers when called upon. If the Cubs do not trade or release Ross, he’ll likely return to the team to serve as Miguel Montero’s understudy. Meanwhile, the Cubs are still unsure of their future plans for Kyle Schwarber, who could wind up in the outfield or behind the plate.
Ross inked a two-year, $5MM deal with Chicago in December of 2014. The signing, presumably, was made in part because of Ross’ history with Lester.
Shelby Miller for shwarber?
no.
Miller started good but his ERA was over 3 every month from June on, and fading late in the season is actually a career trend of his. The Cubs already have a pitcher like that in Hammel.
A middle-of-the-order bat for a middle of the rotation pitcher makes no sense… especially when the bat will be cheaper for longer
Braves missed their chance to sell high on him at this mid-season hopefully he starts out hot and they trade him off before he turns back into a pumpkin again in 2016.
Braves still have three years left on Shelby Miller. We shall see what happens.
This is laughable
oh….. goodie…. sigh….
The cubs should put Schwarber and Ross behind the plate. Trade montero he looked lost catching and hitting
He was a top 10 catcher offensively among those with 400+ PAs, and a top 5 catcher in terms of pitch framing according to Baseball Prospectus.
Montero was fine.
Montero’s also incredibly expensive relative to his actual production so trading him for anything of remotely equal value would be difficult to say the least
It must be nice being a human security blanket. Ross is at least cheap and great in the clubhouse though.
They’re basically paying for an extra coach.
If Ross doesn’t make the cut in the spring, how does that affect Lester though?
Lester has to pitch to somebody. He’ll work it out. :)
I never understood the need of three catchers, especially when it is obvious who the weak link is. Cubs will be just fine with a Montero/Schwarber partnership and that’s what they should do.
Understudy? Do you mean backup?
It’s just not a good idea to have Ross take up a roster space! I get that they like his influence, mentoring skills etc… Bring him back as a base coach. None of the reasons they would bring him back, have anything to do with his on field production!!! Don’t waste the roster space!!!
Need to give schwarber a break he was thrown into the outfield during the season. Never played outfield before, he was a catcher in the minors. Give him the offseason and spring training to work on the position and he will be fine.