The Cubs have selected the contract of catcher Josh Phegley from their alternate training site and designated left-handed reliever Josh Osich for assignment in order to open roster space, per a club announcement. Phegley will make the team’s Wild Card roster.
Phegley, 32, logged 18 plate appearances with the Cubs earlier this season but struggled in that short sample, collecting just one hit and one walk while getting plunked by a pitch in that time as well. He’ll be a third catcher behind Willson Contreras and Victor Caratini this series and give the Cubs a bench option who hit .233/.282/.397 in 300 games with the A’s from 2015-19.
Osich, also 32, allowed six runs (three earned) on five hits with four strikeouts in just 2 2/3 innings over four games with the Cubs. Osich notched a 4.66 ERA in 67 2/3 innings with the Cubs last year while posting a 61-to-15 K/BB ratio in that time. However, he carries just a 5.02 ERA and 5.21 FIP in 206 1/3 big league innings to this point in his career. Osich can become a free agent if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
As a RS fan, I still like Osich. I cannot believe how awful our RPs were after we traded them. This almost certainly falls into the something-for-nothing category.
If I were in a rebuild mode, I’d spent my entire allowance on reasonably-priced RPs. It would likely help your record a little, and then give you some decent trade chips at the deadline.
As a Giants fan, I cant stand Osich. Hes a AAAA player at best and I’m glad Farhan DFAd him.
Joe – All of the players the Red Sox traded (Moreland, Workman, Hembree, Pillar, Osich) underperform, but a lot of that is the change in usage. Moreland played much more against right handed pitchers (rarely against lefties), Pillar against lefthanders, Hembree against right handed hitters and so on…. If you change the usage in many cases you change the results.
Bloom’s trades and moves have added 9 of the top 24 prospects in the Red Sox farm system. The talent the Red Sox received greatly out weighed what they gave up and will increase the likelihood of the Red Sox competing sooner than later.
Aug 21 Osich gave up 3 HRs, 5 runs in 1 2/3 innings. Other than that brutal game he pitched well (3.21 era and his 5 walks to 20 strikeouts were not bad)…….with that being said he still would not make the 2021 Red Sox bullpen if he were still with the team……..
Josh Osich actually pitched for the White Sox last year not the Cubs. The Red Sox claimed him off waivers from the White Sox in the offseason.
They need Nigiel Amaya in that 3rd catcher option n phelgey is awful.