Cubs' latest roster moves show they won't accept mediocrity

The Chicago Cubs have been on a losing skid, dropping eight of their last ten games heading into Friday night. In response, Chicago's front office is being proactive and sending unproductive players packing. 

On Friday, the Cubs designated first baseman Eric Hosmer for assignment, and optioned Keegan Thompson, one of their top relievers, to Triple-A Iowa. 

The moves come at a point in the season where things could go either way for the club. They're only five games out of first place in the NL Central, but after having a 14-13 record on May 1, the Cubs are just 5-11 this month and now 19-24 on the season. Moving on from Hosmer and sending Thompson to the minors were sound moves from President Jed Hoyer and GM Carter Hawkins.

Hosmer, 33, was batting just .234 with an abysmal on-base percentage of .280. Hosmer's among the slowest players in the league, his defense is average at best, and he offers little power at the plate (two home runs in 100 plate appearances.) Per Baseball Savant, Hosmer ranked in the bottom 2% of the league in exit velocity. 

Thompson, 28, had an impressive 1.93 ERA in 14 innings in April, but has struggled mightily in May with a 9.95 ERA in 6.1 innings. Per Covers.com, the Cubs rank No. 24 in team bullpen ERA, and Thompson's demotion is a signal that Chicago is demanding improvement from their pen.

Other recent roster moves show the Cubs are willing to call up promising players from the minors if it's warranted. Not to merely give these players major league experience, but to help the team win games right now. 

Earlier this month, the Cubs called up Matt Mervis, the No. 3 overall first base prospect in baseball, per MLB.com. They also called up infielder/outfielder Christopher Morel, who's been off to a hot start since making his season debut on May 9. Morel is batting .371 with five home runs in just 36 plate appearances.

With Hosmer getting DFA'd, the Cubs will have yet another new face in their clubhouse, outfielder Mike Tauchman. While Tauchman has a career slash line of .231/.326/.378, the past two seasons have been encouraging. Tauchman played for the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) in 2022, hitting .289/.366/.430 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI. Tauchman's followed that up with steady production in Triple-A this year with an elite 20.4% walk rate and a respectable .278/.427/.443 line. 

It likely won't be a season where the Cubs push for their first World Series championship since 2016, but there's no reason the team as currently constructed can't play competitive baseball deep into September. 

“I think a successful season ends up in the postseason,” Jed Hoyer said before the season. “That’s true success. My hope is that this team is really competitive and plays the game the right way."

At least the Cubs front office has the right way of handling business these days.