The Chicago Cubs trimmed their Spring Training roster with a series of cuts on Sunday. It comes as no surprise regarding some of these players, but players like Matt Mervis and Keegan Thompson will have to continue working their way back to the big-league roster.
#Cubs have reduced their spring roster:
RHP Keegan Thompson and 1B Matt Mervis have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
RHP Cam Sanders, C Bryce Windham and INF Chase Strumpf have been assigned to minor league camp.
Spring roster stands at 42, including 5 NRIs.
— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) March 17, 2024
A year ago this time, it seemed that Mervis was destined to be the Cubs’ first baseman of the future. He was in line to be the successor to franchise legend Anthony Rizzo until he wasn’t.
Now with Cody Bellinger and Michael Busch in tow, Mervis seems to have become a bit of an afterthought. But that depth should serve both parties well as the team can afford to be patient with the 25-year-old.
Mervis’s offensive production in the minor leagues indicated that he was ready for a promotion last season. But from his MLB debut onward, it was a bumpy road for Mervis as he was eventually optioned back to Triple-A in mid-June.
In 90 plate appearances, the first baseman hit for a low average of just .167 with three home runs and 11 RBIs. Those numbers were a far cry from what he accomplished at Triple-A Iowa, where he’s now heading back to.
The Cubs will have an important decision regarding Mervis on their hands this year. If he continues to post solid numbers in Triple-A, the team will have to balance giving him more at-bats while also competing for the division.
