The Cubs will release outfielder Peter Bourjos, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic (via Twitter). Chicago decided not to add him to the active roster in order to keep an additional reliever.
Soon to turn 31, the fleet-footed Bourjos could still hold appeal to other organizations as a reserve outfielder — particularly those looking for a player capable of lining up in center. He posted a .317/.356/.366 slash in his 45 plate appearances this spring.
Bourjos has enjoyed some high-quality MLB campaigns in the past, but has functioned more as a light-hitting reserve in recent seasons. In his best season, a 2011 effort with the Angels, Bourjos posted a 114 wRC+ and graded as a high-end fielder and baserunner.
The output has generally declined in all areas of late. Metrics have viewed Bourjos more as a solid than a great defender in recent seasons. While he still gets high marks for his overall baserunning, Bourjos hasn’t really been a major threat to steal of late. And he owns only a .231/.288/.366 batting line over the past four campaigns.
2018 Spring Training: .317 BA, 7 RBI, 2 SB, .721 OPS, in 41 AB.
Who wants him?
Spring stats mean very little. Sample size too small.
The Cubs just released their best OF on the team! Ok! Best defensive OF anyway!
Almora is the best fielder and he works cheap
I remember thinking this guy would be so good on the angels in 2011
He was! Then the best player in baseball took his job.
No. He broke his wrist and was never the same after that.
And the best player in baseball took his spot
Exactly, whether he broke his wrist or not Trout was coming. Are you saying he would’ve kept his job over Trout?
Oh you’re just bitter cards nation because he didn’t work out there
Are you some sort of super Bulls fan who combined the names of Luc Longly and Luol Deng?
No, genius go back and watch Sixteen Candles. Classic 1980’s movie
I was in love with his future. Still really like him
Mets. Grab him. This makes Lagares disposable.
But aren’t they basically the same player? What’s to gain for the Mets?
Dang pretty good spring numbers! I’d guess he’d definitely gonna get pick up!
I’m not so sure. Unfortunately, the game is phasing out the scrappy base-stealer. Unless you swing for the fences, it seems like you don’t have a place in the game.
That might be the most misguided comment ive read in a while. Power hitters are getting killed on the market. Bourjos problem is that he doesn’t get on base.
Miguided? It’s reality. The game is shifting. The last 2 WS winners have shown that.
Misguided may have been the wrong term.
I understand what you are saying in the first park, as all speed guys like Bourjos are falling out of demand, which is true to an extent, however the main problem with guys like that (Revere, Bourjos etc.) is the lack on on base percentages. In regard to the second part the last two world series winners each contained well-rounded offensive pieces and very strong pitching staffs, each supplied by years of rebuilding. Most of their core players were very good at reaching base at very high clips.
I see that you’re a Cubs fan- so using Rizzo and Byrant as examples
Both posted OBP’s near or over 100 points higher than their batting averages consistently throughout their careers (each coming in at or around .400, which is unbelievable)
The days of swinging for the fences to get paid died once Ryan Howard tore his ACL and Josh Hamilton signed in LA.
Mark Reynolds, Adam Lind and Jesus Aguilar are three players who posted OPS’s north of .800 last season as power hitters and do not have jobs for the coming season.
I’m not a fan of this. Cubs have no pinch runners whatsoever and he’s a good glove. Man
Jacob Hannemann does everything this guy does and is younger.
He isn’t staying either
Have you seen the cubs roster? There’s no room for him barring a trade
They are going with an extra reliever. Not necessary. So they lose him for that
And even with a trade. They aren’t going to trade Schwarber Baez or Russell. Maybe Happ. He’s a great asset to have he can play 2nd,3rd,1st and all 3 outfield spots. The Cubs roster is so deep. Rizzo’d the only player that doesn’t play 2 or more positions. And even then he played 3rd last year just for fun.
They would trade Almora Jr. or Russell before Ian Happ.
Pinch runner=Schwarber
Good Glove=Schwarber
Babe Ruth=Schwarber
What’s the argument?
Where are all the people who said this signing was the end of the world?
Yup there gonna need this guy. Big mistake!
No they aren’t.
Pay no attention to Themed Rev. He’s a Childish Cub hater who a Card fan. Even his own fans are embarrassed by his comments.
uh, no…
*They’re! Jesus how hard is that?!
ty
Shut up Themed and get a life you stupid childish troll Cards fan. Everyone the Cubs release you say they will miss. They haven’t miss much. Hey JA looked pretty good the other day how many runs did he give up in 2 innings lol. Going to miss him. He’s not even on the 40 man roster let alone 25. Your a joke and pathetic excuse for life.
The Cards should have picked up a lot of pitchers but fat MO too cheap.
Even real Card fans who at least are honest say the Cards pitching is trash and MM will burn them out.
Get a life Themed bring a Cub hater and troll us no way to go through life. Make some friends and get a real life.
Bed time now.
You realize your comment just made you worse than him, right? Even if he’s trolling your comment just make you look like a di…ll pickle
Yeah but I have to keep reminding him.
He’s a bad troll, but going off on him isn’t gonna work. He doesn’t care if you like him or not. As long as he gets a reaction like that, mission accomplished for him.
Good point. Mlb1225. I must refrain from feeding the trolls. Point taken.
I think the Cards will miss Piscotty more, especially against the Cubs.
Orioles should definitely pick him up as the 4th OF.
They definitely should not
I would agree but I do not see them doing it. Buck loves his extra RPs (Araujo, Cortez Jr).
Mancini will DH till Trumbo gets back but the OF is looking to be Jones, Santander, and Rasmus with Gentry being the extra.
Couldn’t they/shouldn’t they ditch Gentry and pick up Bourjos?
Splitten’ hairs for a team that looks like a fringe wild card contender if you ask me
He was never gonna make the team anyway. Not a big deal.
Plus, it’s a waste to have a base-stealer on a team that doesn’t steal bases.
It would be nice for the Cubs to have someone who is an actual stolen base threat.
Peter Bourjos answer your phone….Rays calling. You heard it here first.
Nah, he might be too expensive for the Rays.
when Mike Trout was called up from AAA, he had to go play left field as Bourjos was set as center LA’s center fielder. magine’ that!
Gorgeous Bourjos was one of my favorite angels when he was with us… hope he finds a big league spot
He had a 4.9 WAR with an ops of .765… even better than i remembered
Angels need to release chris young and pick him back up. Basically the same low average, low on base guy except peter gives you stolen bases when Albert needs his inhaler after the 5th inning
Ha!
Oh nooooooo! Not Bourjos!
The Cubs must be a pretty good team going into opening day. Peter Bourgos played well enough to make the team but didn’t. What were the Cubs expecting from him when they signed him?
This guy got screwed by Mike Matheny,, he never gave him regular at bats (he wasn’t one of Mathenys boys. He deserved better