In between games of a doubleheader with the Cardinals, the Cubs have designated outfielder Steven Souza Jr. for assignment, the team announced. Right-hander Tyson Miller has been recalled and will be available for tonight’s game.
Souza went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in the first game (a 4-2 win for St. Louis), potentially ending his Cubs tenure with a .148 batting average and .591 OPS over 31 plate appearances Souza came to Chicago on a one-year deal worth $1MM in guaranteed money during the offseason, but it has been a tough season for the outfielder, who hasn’t produced as the plate and also missed close to two weeks with a right hamstring strain.
After missing all of 2019 recovering from major knee surgery, Souza had a victory just in returning to the field this year, though he is still looking to get back to the form he displayed in his 2015-17 heyday with the Rays. Being claimed off the DFA wire would put a new team on the hook for what remains of Souza’s prorated $1MM salary, which is only around $125K at this point and potentially worth a flier for a team in need of outfield depth. Then again, if Souza clears waivers and is then released, an interested team could then sign him for only a prorated minimum salary, with the Cubs footing the rest of his guaranteed bill.
His two at-bats in game one were embarrassingly non-competitive. He has had a decent career; it is time to find a second.
And the first one was so bad that he didn’t even bark at the ump like he did on all of his strikeouts the other night. I’m not an expert on baseball but to come up with he bases loaded, nobody out and stand there like a statue is in your words “embarrassingly non-competitive” not only changed the game, but a career path as well.
Has anyone else been a part of TWO 3-team trades ever ?
I know!
Trevor Bauer!
D-backs to Indians
Indians to reds.
Indians and reds were actually in both those trades
Also!
DIdi Gregorious
Reds to d-backs
D-backs to Yankees
Know of at least two off the top of my head
Didi Gregorius
Traded in 2012s Cin-Arz-Cle trade, and 2014s Det-NYY-Arz trade
Trevor Bauer
That same 2012 Cin-Arz-Cle trade, and 2019s Cle-SD-Cin trade
I think Didi and Bauer.
Not sure if it’s been said, but Trevor Bauer and Didi.
this signing never made any sense
Orioles put in a claim
Indeed, their best OF went down (sadly) and taking a flyer on a former AL East OF makes sense.
Why not. He’s a FA at the end of the year, so have him replace Santander for 3 weeks and if there’s anything you like. If so, he’s not going to be expensive next year.
He’s got some pop in his bat, but K’s far too often, and his defense is (a) not very good and (b) occasionally comical. But like I said, worth a look.
That’s not a bad idea given that Santander is probably out for the year. I kind of feel bad for Souza… a few years ago he looked like a legit budding star (or maybe not quite Star… but at least a really solid everyday player) then he got traded, struggled, then hurt and now he’s just a shell of his former self. Personally I hope he gets another shot and is able to put together at least some respectable numbers because otherwise having your career derailed like his has been due to injuries and such just sucks!
Wow. That’s serious cold.
I would be perfectly ok with the Cardinals taking a flyer on this guy. Not like their outfield couldn’t use the help at this point
They already have guys who can strike out.
Bader is on the bench but you’d sign this scrub?
Bader and O’Neill are still playing better than this guy, and Fowler should be back before the end of the season.
Stars and stripes forever
He was always a high-K, low AVG, average OBP guy. BBref had his 162 game average around 195K’s (WTF!) and a slash line of .232/.322/.416/.737. So his seasonal numbers don’t shock me (especially given this is his comeback year). But I love how a week or so ago Ross explicitly said he was not interested in re-shuffling the lineup because it was a sign of panic… well what do you call DFA’ing a guy between a double-header?
I watched his ABs in game 1, and the guy gave all the outward appearances that he didn’t want to be there. I think that more than anything got him the old heave-ho.
To think that the hated gNats were able to trade Souza for Turner gives me a headache…
Tough crowd. At least Jordan Zimmermann will always be his friend.
Never understood the signing other than if it works out great if not then who really cares.