The Cubs made a flurry of roster moves today. Per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, the club optioned right-hander Adrian Sampson to Triple-A Iowa, recalled Frank Schwindel from Triple-A Iowa, selected left-hander Conner Menez onto the major league roster, and placed right-hander David Robertson on the IL without an injury distinction — generally a sign that the move is COVID-related. Presuming Robertson’s IL stint is indeed COVID-related, the Cubs would not have been required to add Menez to the 40-man roster in order to add him to the active roster, though Montemurro later clarified that the club has added him to the 40-man.
Sampson’s demotion and Schwindel’s return to the majors mark something of an abrupt about-face for the Cubs, who’d selected Sampson’s contract (to replace Marcus Stroman, who also went on the IL without an injury designation) and optioned Schwindel to Triple-A only yesterday. Sampson did pitch in his one game with the big-league club, covering the ninth inning of a blowout loss to the Dodgers, while Schwindel did not enter a game during his (extremely) brief stint in the minors. Both players had success for the Cubs in 2021: Sampson, who’s also pitched for the Mariners, Rangers, and the KBO’s Lotte Giants in his career, posted a 2.80 ERA over 35 1/3 innings for Chicago (albeit with a 5.72 FIP), and Schwindel posted a world-beating .342/.389/.613 across 239 plate appearances (albeit with an unsustainable .364 BABIP). In 2022, Sampson has served as minor league depth outside his single inning on Sunday, while Schwindel has posted a far more pedestrian 209/.250/.308 batting line in 96 trips to the plate.
The 37-year-old Robertson, who signed with the Cubs in March for a $3.5MM guarantee, was off to a strong start to what’s been an otherwise disappointing first month on Chicago’s north side. In 12 innings, he’s notched a 1.50 ERA while striking out 37.8% of the batters he’s faced and converting all five of his save opportunities. Presuming his trip to the IL is COVID-related, he’s unlikely to be out for more than a week or so, though his absence in the bullpen could well prove costly for a club hoping to contend but already nine games adrift in the NL Central.
Menez, who arrived in Chicago via the minor league phase of the 2021 Rule 5 draft, has actually had some success in the majors in a limited sample, notching a serviceable 4.04 ERA (if a less sightly 5.01 FIP) across 42 1/3 innings in parts of the 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons, all spent with the Giants. He’s primarily been a starter in the minors (and has started four games in the majors) and was off to a strong start in Triple-A, pitching 16 2/3 innings of 2.16 ERA ball while striking out better than a batter an inning. His time in the majors may be short (perhaps only until either Robertson or Stroman returns from the IL), but he could also slot in as a long relief/swingman option if he can continue to miss bats in the majors. The fact he’s been added to the 40-man roster when he could have been selected without the addition could signal that GM Carter Hawkins hopes to see him stick around for a while.
didn’t they just option schwindel a day ago or so?
Yesterday. It’s obviously Menez for Sampson and Schwindel for Robertson. There are conflicting reports that Stroman was added to the 10 day IL which would also allow Schwindel to return ahead of the needed 10 days in the minors.
Traveling to Iowa must have worked out his problems.
A car ride seeing flat land and corn fields in Illinois and Iowa will straighten out anybody and give them incentive to work out any problems very quickly
I thought maybe the Cubs were doing a Heyward DFA when I seen the Cubs made a series of roster moves. Pujols/Upton/Cano/…
The only way Schwindel would’ve been able to come back is if someone went on the IL. And DFA would not have allowed him to be recalled.
I love that the cubs optioned Schwindel, recalls him and Ross promptly sticks him fifth in the line up.
For the life of me, I have no idea why the cubs extended Ross with zero need to do so. If they wanted to show “faith” in him, they should have just picked up his 2023 option and negotiated an extension after the season.
Shows how much I’ve been keeping track… I saw David Robertson’s name and thought “that’s funny, there used to be another reliever with the same name….wait, really???”
The Phillies have entered the chat….
You Can NOT Put It In The Books… oh sorry, this isn’t a Mets-related article… my bad.
2124?
Cubs recall someone 25 or younger without major league experience challenge failed again.
What are you talking about? Who did the Cubs recall that failed? Besides, like everyone.
Or are you trying to say that they should recall someone that is under 25?
Like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic
Cubs are really interesting to me. I’m not as familiar with their FO as their fans, obviously, but they seem to be caught in-between with their roster.
Anyway, I saw something serious this year when watching Willson Contreras’ ABs to this point. He changes his stance per AB, or per game. It’s strange to me, because when he’s on, he’s crushing the ball. He alters between moving his feet & and staying still; where he places his hands in relation to his body; & and how his body loads prior to the swing.
He’s such a talented guy & I’ve wanted him for the Yankees for so long now. He’s my favorite Cubs player to watch.
But, I’m curious Cubs’ fans: is this really as simple as getting him with the right hitting coach to get him consistent? Or is there more to it than that, & Willson is just one of those guys that will forever be inconsistent & therefore his own worst enemy on offense?
Well clipper, here’s what I think:
Between you and Willson, only one of you has a good idea of what’s going on.
Willson is having a pretty nice year, so far.
I don’t know the answer to your question. However, I do think Hoyer is going to trade him at the deadline (if not sooner) – he’s a FA after the season anyway. And I can’t believe that not even one of the plethora of Cubs hitting coaches has suggested he find a stance and stick with it (Cubs change batting coaches like I change my underwear). But I’ll say this: the former “core” of the 2016 championship team that was moved last deadline were thought to be very hard to coach in general, and mostly unwilling to be told what to do. Of course, Bryant’s dad really is his hitting coach. But Baez and Contreras are all over the place, but they feel they’ve had success so no one can tell them what to do.
Remember the Coop: Thank you, that makes a lot of sense from what I see. I didn’t realize they change hitting coaches often – I didn’t pay attention to that, honestly. But, their resistance to coaching & your comparison with Contreras & Baez, who are similarly inconsistent, offensively, is a great observation. I do notice some similar tendencies with Baez as well while he is in the box.
I do wonder who they will trade him to then? Before the acquisition of Trevino, I would’ve put the Yanks at the forefront. But now? I don’t think Cashman would do it, even though I still think Contreras is worth pursuing for their roster.
I think Contraras will be with the Yankees or Angels, possibly the Marlins depending where they’re at in the standings.
Those are interesting considerations. Marlins, especially. Don’t normally think of them, but they very well could be vying for his services because of potential for an expanded playoff spot.
If you’re the Yankees Gomes is the cubs backstop you want. You don’t have a pressing need for Contreras’s offense and you have a set DH. Gomes gives you better offense than what you currently have and can seamlessly come in and handle the staff.
Contreras is a guy that a team that needs his bat and defense less.
Hoping to contend? And I’m hoping to date Yael Shelbia.
I had to Google “who is Yael Shelbia”. Was not disappointed.
Cubs are cubing, I see.
Cubing what? Steak? Are they making chicken fried steak?
The cubs need to DFA Hermosillo and send Madrigal down to AAA when Simmons comes off the IL. I’d strongly consider rolling with Villar at second base for the time being to see if we cannot get him going prior to the trade deadline. Nicky “barrels” isn’t barreling anything, his exit velocity and launch angle is terrible right now.
The cubbies can make whatever changes they want. Still doesn’t change the fact they will lose to the Friars tonight and tomorrow. Definitely a slow news day…….
Keep holding our hope that AJ Preller can put together a team that post a winning record…. We are all waiting…. Remember that one time you made the playoffs? That was cool wasn’t it?
Waiting? Open your eyes and look at the standings and then get back to me. And how many championships have the Cubs won? (You’re an idiot). Your argument was pitiful. I know it and you know it. God I love calling out the uneducated. This is the present, not the past or do you not know what those simple terms mean you ignorant putz?
Cripes, you must be talking to yourself all day.
Nah I’m just not an overly huge fan of stupidity nor is anyone being forced to take the bait. That’s kind of on you and your buddy “Drasco” whatever the hell that means. It’s simple. If you don’t like what I have to say don’t respond. It’s actually very simple. Try it sometime. In fact let’s begin right now! My money says you respond with something else unfunny bc I was insensitive to clearly very very sensitive sissies. Wait for it….wait for it…
It amazes me when the ignorant people are so angry…. I guess I’d be angry too if I never got laid and lived in my moms basement.
So genius…. How many winning seasons has the padres had under Preller? Not counting the 2020 season considering a baseball season is 162 games and not 60…. Educated and inquiring minds want to know. Btw, speaking of 60 games and since you less than intelligent self brought up the current padres record, what was the padres record after 60 games last season? What was their record against the horrendous cubs team btw?
Also, interesting that the cubs are well known to be rebuilding and the padres think their in their competitive window… what was the difference between the two last year? 8 games? How sad it must be to be a fan of a franchise who thinks 79 wins somehow gives them bragging rights. Enjoy the nose dive that is about to come.
And please… the padres have won zero… count them ZERO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS and made a whopping 6 playoff appearances. The cubs have had five since 2015 and a World Series title.
It amazes me that you claim I’m ignorant yet you have no historical knowledge of your team…
I’d be mad too if my favorite team had the second highest payroll in baseball, ranked epically, finished 28 games out of first place and with a losing record to boot.
Look at the bright side, 83 losses is a vast improvement of the 90 plus losses you are accustom to.
The Cubs were born in 1867 and have ONE more trip to the world series than the Padres who came into being ONE HUNDRED YEARS LATER. Mothers basement? That stupid comment doesnt phase me…..Nobody finds you funny or amusing dude. 1867. Theres where your ignorance comes into play. The Cubs are the most useless team in the history of baseball. We both know this you sensitive child. What do you have to say about this? I cant wait to hear your usual moronic answer as you type away in your granny’s spare bedroom unemployed.
Padres fans have no business talking about how many World Series championships other teams have or haven’t won considering they’re still winless.
You also might want to fix your facts. The Cubs have 1 more World Series WIN than the Padres have apperances. The Cubs have made 11 trips t0 the World Series compared to the Padres 2 trips.
And prior to the World Series starting in 1903, the Cubs had 6 championships for a total of 9 championships. On average, the Cubs have won a championship every 16.1 years. If you only count the World Series era, they’ve won on average every 39.3 years. The Padres are currently at 0 championships every 52 years and counting.
And thirdly, the Cubs came into existence in 1876, not 1867. Either you’re dyslexic or you’re just ignorant and pulling “facts” out of your *ss.