The Cubs have designated outfielder Phillip Ervin for assignment. The move opens up a roster spot for Jake Marisnick, whose signing is now official.
This is the third DFA in less than six months for Ervin, who was first designated by the Reds at the end of August and then claimed by the Mariners. The Cubs then claimed Ervin off Seattle’s waiver wire in December. Since Ervin is out of minor league options, it’s possible he could be a frequent visitor to DFA limbo over the course of the 2021 season.
Selected 27th overall in the 2013 draft, Ervin didn’t blossom into an everyday regular in Cincinnati but he did contribute a solid .262/.326/.438 slash line over 571 plate appearances from 2017-19. He badly struggled last season, however, hitting just .149/.292/.189 over 89 PA with the Reds and Mariners. This included a brutal coda to Ervin’s tenure in Cincinnati, as he collected only three hits in his last 42 PA in a Reds uniform.
Ervin has hit well against left-handed pitching in his career and he can play all three outfield positions, though the Cubs seem to have tabbed Marisnick (who signed a Major League contract) as their top choice for the fourth outfielder role. With Cameron Maybin also back on a minor league deal, Ervin looks like the odd man out of the right-handed hitting outfielder mix.
oh no….
*Busts through the wall
“Oh Yeah!”
Great move. Nice. Cub turning things around now. It’s progress. Hang tough Cub fans.
Lol
Nice Family Guy reference Mrtwotone. The good Family Guy — the first three seasons pre-cancellation.
Are we at the point in time where people only know the Kool Aid man from Family Guy?
Wazz the deal with the Cubs give minor deal to some cut others and being up a Defensive player who is not known for hitting in almost ready to throw the race card who got Jeffries ?
my Everything hurts from reading this
Yes.
One of the tastiest usernames I’ve seen in a while.
*brain explodes*
???
It’s not a race issue. It’s an issue with player options and not being able to simply send him down to AAA. He will get DFA’d for a while… there’s one player like this every 2-4 years it seems
MLBTR sends our condolences to Phillip Ervin and his family over the DFA and wish him only the BEST in his future endeavors.
Thoughts and prayers. Too soon.
pay that man his money
Mets will claim him, thus completing the Almora-Marisnick trade.
Lol!
Bring him back to the Reds, what’s another outfielder on the pile.. In all seriousness this guy is a solid all around player, hope he lands in friendly waters
See you in Baltimore soon, Magic Ervin.
This move puts the Cubs over the top. World Series here we come!
Clearly the Cubs feel better about Cameron Maybin than Phillip Ervin as their 5th outfielder in 2021.
Maybin was signed to a minor league deal … with keeping probably 13 pitchers … no need for a 5th OF
1000 man OF army. What we lack in talent, we’ll make up in sheer numbers
No I deff think Maybin makes the opening day roster. Marisnik is more of the speed threat, defensive replacement. Maybin can spell any of happ, joc, and j-hey. Was very solid in short time with us last year, had a good overall campaign abd is just a year removed from a career season with the yanks.
Here ya go Pittsburgh. Could see him making the team. Wishing him the best.
Figured Maybin would be on the squad. 5 Outfielders 6 infielders 2 catchers.
We weren’t overly concerned about Mr Ervin depriving us of the division title
At 28 still can grab a OF/DH platoon role, can play all OF positions and hit lefties well, some AL team will roll the dice on him after clearing waivers.
Wow. Our Cubs keep pulling out all the stops. Fiddling with replacement outfielders, dumping starter pitchers, resigning Jake to fill the void? Making Happ fight for a couple million? Gee, it sure seems pretty cold and overcast for our Cubs this season.