The Cubs are making a batch of roster moves prior to today’s game, per reporter Mark Gonzales. Right-hander Adbert Alzolay has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list while infielder Esteban Quiroz has had his contract selected. In corresponding moves, outfielder Seiya Suzuki was placed on the paternity list while left-hander Sean Newcomb and first baseman Frank Schwindel were designated for assignment.
Quiroz, 30, has taken an unusual path to the big leagues as he was playing in the Mexican League for years, not signing with an affiliated club until he was nearing his 26th birthday. He’s spent time in the minor league systems of the Red Sox, Padres and Rays, before coming to the Cubs as part of the Harold Ramirez trade in March. He’s only been healthy enough to get into 40 Triple-A games this season, hitting .212/.358/.322 in that time for a wRC+ of 89. However, he’s been much better since returning from the injured list at the start of August, hitting .299/.450/.442 in that time. He’s played second base and third base this year, though has also played some shortstop in previous season and some outfield work back in Mexico.
With the Cubs well out of contention and just over two weeks remaining on this year’s schedule, they can use those games to audition players for future roles on the team. Quiroz will jump into an infield mix that also includes Zach McKinstry, Christopher Morel, Patrick Wisdom, Alfonso Rivas, David Bote and Nico Hoerner, though Hoerner might not be a factor for a while. He’s missed time recently with an injury and an MRI just revealed a moderate right triceps strain, per Gonzales. “It was a little worse off than we thought,” manager David Ross told Gonzales.
Schwindel, 30, got a nice stretch of play last year after the Cubs traded away many of their regular at the deadline. He made the most of that opportunity, hitting 14 home runs in 64 games, slashing an incredible .326/.371/.591 for a 154 wRC+. He couldn’t keep the fairy tale alive this year, however, as he’s hit just .229/.277/.358 for a wRC+ of 76. With the trade deadline passed, he’ll be placed on waivers in the coming days to see if any other team believes there’s more magic left in Frank the Tank.
Newcomb, 29, once seemed like a rotation stalwart in Atlanta but has fallen on hard times recently. He was bumped to bullpen work and eventually designated for assignment earlier this year, getting traded to the Cubs. The change of scenery hasn’t helped much as Newcomb has a ghastly 8.78 ERA in 27 2/3 innings this year, walking 14.2% of batters faced in the process. This is the second time the Cubs have designated him this year, with the previous instance resulting in Newcomb clearing waivers and accepting an outright assignment. Based on his unfortunate results this year, he’ll likely pass through waivers unclaimed again. With minor league seasons winding down, it’s possible he could accept another outright and make a couple of appearances in the minors, though it’s also possible he just decides to get an early start on free agency.
Schwindel no likely the breaking ball
Frank Schwindel on Cubs: .364 BABIP in 2021, .261 BABIP in 2022
Quiroz has been tearing it up lately but I don’t see him being any kind of future piece, But he deserved a cup of coffee. Goodbye Frank the Tank, You got a shot and didn’t take advantage. Why Reyes shouldn’t get more than a Minor League contract and an invite to Spring Training. Good to see Alzolay back, Hope he stays healthy as he can be at least a reliever next year, Suzuki is probably gone for the year as his family is back in Japan so this won’t be a quick trip. Necomb is no big loss, Probably his last chance with the Cubs anyway.Glad to see Young get a hit, He has a really nice swing.
Some team will sign Newcomb. Lefties always seem to find a home no matter how bad they are. Chance after chance.
Cubs SP have a 3.03 ERA since the All Start Break and without some of their best P’s. Steele,Thompson, Miley and Hendricks all out for most if not all of the time. Some of the best Pitching prospects haven’t even got here yet. There’s a ton of depth in the system now like I’ve been saying. I’m kind of torn on wondering if the Cubs should re sign Smyly. He’s been very good lately and if he could stay healthy would be a decent complement with Steele giving the Cubs 2 lefties in the rotation. I still say Happ should be dealt, If not in the off season at least by the All Star break as I think we’ve seen the best he can be this year and it’s always best to sell high. What if he gets off to one of his horrible starts next year again? Would kill his trade value IMO. Anyway there is something to watch the last few weeks and in the AFL.
Steele hasn’t been out most of the time he’s only missed 3 starts since the ASB and all his last 3 he’s a big reason why that post all stark break ERA is that low 0.98 ERA in 7 starts since the break
I agree the Cubs do have crazy depth in the ML. There are too many pitchers actually and that’s why I believe they will not only sign a couple of proven SP this winter, they will also swing a trade or two from their stockpile of pitching. They need power and everyone wants pitching prospects. Quiroz is being rewarded for his performance of late, that’s all.
No depth at all in the minors lol. Pitching is dookie, hitting is dookie & only good prospect Cubs have is pete-armstrong. Other than that -sauce pile
On a day Wesneski threw a 7 inning gem of a game this comment aged soon and poorly.
I recommend you read up a little more so you know what a good prospect looks like, I guarantee you there’s more than PCA in the farm system.
Tell us that you don’t know anything about the minor leagues without telling us that you don’t know anything about the minor leagues
Who picks up Newcomb? I still cannot believe Nuke has fallen this far. He needs a good pitching coach or counselor. Guy has a good arm. I think his biggest problem is he wants to be a SP and that hasn’t worked he needs to embrace being a RP.
Congratulations to Esteban Quiroz, why it took this guy till the age of 26 to make it out of the Mexican leagues, then another 5 years to make it to the show is beyond me, other than maybe scouts didn’t like his build… Good bat to ball skills, great eye at the plate and flashes a little power every now and then. Just an all around tough out and can play multiple positions around the diamond…. Here’s to hoping that at age 30 he hits the ground running, and stays in the bigs for the rest of his career.
He’ll be DFAed in a few days
Hindsight is 20/20, but we got Quiroz when we traded Harold Ramirez to Tampa. Ramirez is having a nice season.
Sneaky and quiet trade by the Rays that has paid off big time. Ramirez has led the Rays in hitting since he got to Tampa and I hate giving the Rays RFO too much bandwagon credit but damn did they get this one right. Thanks Cubs! Lets call it even for stealing my favorite Ray ever in Zobrist.
I agree 100%! when he joined the Padres system a while back, I was saying the same thing. him and ty France deserved more of a shot than SD was giving them. France proved me right, here’s to hoping quiroz will have the fast start that it’ll take to get a chance at making a lasting impression. could see him putting a.260\.350\.450 type slash line that would absolutely have value
Stroman, Smyley, Sampson, Steele, no aces but also no duds.
If Brewers trade Burnes or Woodruf and Peralta is injured, and Cubs pick up a couple high end free agents, only the dirty birds stand in the way.
Sampson? As Hawk would say ” He Gone”.
I’m surprised Bloom doesn’t take a shot at Newcomb. He’s a local boy and can’t be any worse that the rest of the stiffs he’s brought to Boston.
I am sure that Cubs would swap Newcomb for any player in A-ball with a pulse not facing an impending criminal or harassment investigation.
Sean Newcomb one time came about an out or 2 of a no hitter vs the dodgers than been all downhill with him.
I always liked him always looked like he had good stuff just never could avoid walking people.
A left handed pitcher with past positive experience at major league level he will get a minor league deal for 2023 if he wants one.
Nice to see Quiroz get a shot.
It was only matter of time before Schwindel was DFA’d. It was nice while it lasted. My guess is he’ll probably stay with the cubs stay down in Iowa
$10 says the Giants claim him.
Do they need a 1B? Or a DH?
I want Newcomb back.
Mostly because I have a great pic with him on a ba k field at spring training. Cool guy.
Wait!! What? I thought Cubs fans said Frank the Tank was the 2nd coming of, well, Rizzo. You mean he is a scrub and the small sample size was a fluke? Say it isn’t so. Congrats Quiroz. Like Frank, you were a career minor leaguer before getting this call up. Not sure what the Cubs saw in your .121 BA and .680 OPS in Iowa to call you up, but here is hoping you make the best of it and last out the season. In the next 16 games with the Cubies you will make more than you have in any single year in the minors and you will get a raise when you next play in the minors. A win-win for you.
Cubs going for 70 players this season.
The Reds may have already topped 70 this season.
Never seen a fan claim Frank was the next Rizzo, though he did out hit him last year.
Whoever said that is an ID10T. He’s a 30 year old rookie as of last year. Rizzo is still in his prime just under 3years older. Rizzo is at the end of his prime though.
See ya Frank. I actually hope the Cards make some effort to acquire Frank and Ortega. I know they aren’t very good, but they have been thorns in our side for two years now. Call it the Pedro Alvarez/Bud Norris effect.
Frank is a great guy, feel good story of last year, he’ll be a success no matter what he does