The Cubs have claimed infielder Rylan Bannon off waivers from the Braves, according to a club announcement. Atlanta had designated him for assignment last week.
Bannon has moved around the league over the past couple months. A longtime Orioles farmhand, he was designated for assignment by Baltimore in early August. He moved to the Dodgers and Braves in rapid succession via waivers. He didn’t play in the majors with L.A. and only suited up once for Atlanta, appearing as a late-game defensive substitution. Bannon only has five games of big league experience overall, but he’s attracted interest from a number of teams as infield depth.
The 26-year-old has had some decent showings in the high minors. He’s a career .227/.337/.415 hitter at the Triple-A level. That includes a more impressive .249/.367/.421 line across 411 plate appearances this year. Bannon strikes out a fair amount, but he hit 13 home runs and walked in a stellar 14.4% of his trips to the plate. He’s also capable of playing either second or third base, making him a versatile depth piece.
With one minor league option year remaining, Bannon can be freely moved between Chicago and Triple-A Iowa next season if he holds his 40-man roster spot. His claim brings the Cubs 40-man roster tally to 39.
Only logical explanation is that Carter or Jed were bored whilst awaiting news on Bellinger.
Notify the press!
Joliet kid.
The Cubs continue stockpiling infield depth pieces as fans eagerly await the signing of a marquee shortstop. For what it’s worth, I have them inking Carlos Correa in this sites FA contest.
Nobody cares.
Good job Jed, now go back to sleep
Nothing wrong with depth on a roster but it seems like the Cubs have a roster full of depth players and nothing more.
I’m ready for some bigger names to sign. I know, I know. I will likely be waiting for a while with some of these people. Trea Turner or Correa to the Cubs for Christmas, make it so #2
Another one. The Cubs are just tying up roster spaces and selecting the wrong type of players, if this is what the intend to do all winter then 2023 will look more like the first half of 2022 and 2021. Ortega, McKinstry, Bannon, and a number of others, with the exception of the infielder they picked up from the Rays. The Cubs need to do what the Yankees just did which was pick up a pitcher with a high potential upside. The Cubs get to pick before the Yankees so to me this was a really dumb move on the Cub’s part. Pitching is 80% of the game. The Cubs need to go with a 6-man rotation next year, since almost all of their starters are extremely young, and Hendricks is coming off an injury. Much better to have resigned Smly and put the money toward Senga for a 6-man rotation. Having these 2, and Hendricks. Stroman, Steele, and possibly Wieniski give the Cubs a potentially strong and young rotation. The 2023 rotation will then see them gain valuable experience. The Cubs will not win the WS in 2023 but it should be used as a season to build toward the WS. Adding players like Bannon to me is a fruitless exercise, that makes very little sense.
Bannon will be 2B/3B in Iowa and called up as needed. If they need his roster spot later this offseason, he will be DFA’d.
Also, offense (hitting and baserunning) is 50% of the game and defense (pitching and fielding) is the other 50%.
I still believe strongly it is a waste of a roster spot. I would rather see the Cubs claim Alex Reyes and Cody Bellinger off waivers, while non-tendering players like Ortega, McKinstry, and now Bannon, and others. Players like Bannon will not push the needle forward, in fact, it will just do the opposite, the Cubs will just keep running in place. I would still like to see them re-sign Smyly, and then make a strong play for Senga. It has been a long-standing rule of thumb that pitching is 80% of the game, and I don’t see that changing especially with the elimination of shifts. Defense of course affects the pitching.
Reyes and Bellinger are free agents now. The Cubs will have to be highest bidder to acquire them.
Days until he is DFA setting the over/under at 3… when’s the rule five draft?
Last day of the winter meetings — Dec 8.
Correra is way too much money. If they wanted to spend that much money then they should resign Wilco. Their best bet is to get Bellinger, and some pitching. Then maybe next year get Ohtani.
I agree, the last thing the Cubs need is another Heyward deal. The Cubs won’t resign Wilson.
I would like to see them sign Bellinger, Reyes, Smyly, and Senga, Also, maybe work a trade for Glasnow with some of their minor leaguers, like Amaya and Marquez. In my estimation, they both have been injured too much and it would be the type of young players the Rays love. Then they can sign or trade for a catcher, none of the catchers other than Conteraras are that great, but they will have time to find a half-way decent one.
He could have replaced Swanson at SS.
He has experience at short not too long ago. Back in 11th grade. And 2 games played in single A.
Maybe it was 3rd though . Shouldn’t be a problem to switch. Mostly positions are interchangeable these days.