The Cubs made a series of roster moves ahead of today’s deadline for protecting players from the Rule 5 draft. Per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune on X, the club has selected outfielder Owen Caissie and infielder Ben Cowles. To open roster spots for those two, outfielder Brennen Davis and right-hander Adbert Alzolay have been designated for assignment. It was reported earlier today that Alzolay was likely to be DFA’d. Kiley McDaniel reported on Caissie and Cowles (X links) prior to the full slate of moves being revealed.
Davis, 25, was once one of the top prospects in baseball. A second-round pick of the Cubs in 2018, he tore through the minors and Baseball America ranked him the #16 prospect in the league going into 2022. He had slashed .260/.375/.494 across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A in 2021 for a 140 wRC+ and seemed to be on the cusp of an exciting debut.
Unfortunately, his stock has fallen since then and he still hasn’t cracked the majors. He required back surgery in the middle of 2022, which was followed by core surgery in 2023 and then a fractured ankle in 2024. Through those ailments, he has only played 179 games over the past three years, slashing a paltry .200/.319/.345 while on the field.
The Cubs added him to their 40-man roster two years ago, to keep him out of the 2022 Rule 5 draft, but the ongoing injury woes have nudged him off the roster. They will now have a week to figure out what’s next, whether that’s a trade or putting him on waivers. The waiver process takes 48 hours, so a trade would have to come together in the next five days. He does still have one option year remaining, so perhaps some club would be interested in taking a flier on him to see if he can stay healthy and get back on track.
Caissie, 22, is now in the position Davis was in a few years ago. A second-round pick from 2020, he is now ranked as one of the top 100 prospects in the league. He has slashed .278/.383/.470 over the past four years for a 129 wRC+. Given his prospect status and the fact that he has already played a full season at the Triple-A level, he is one of the most obvious roster additions of today.
His path to the big league club isn’t clear right now, as the Cubs have Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cody Bellinger, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Mike Tauchman all in the mix for playing time in the outfield and the designated hitter slot. Perhaps an offseason move will change that picture or an injury will open some playing time, though time will tell on that.
Cowles, 25 in February, was a Yankee prospect until coming over to the Cubs a few months ago in the deadline deal that sent Mark Leiter Jr. to the Bronx. He produced a .077/.294/.077 line after that trade but the Cubs will be banking on what he did beforehand. He slashed .294/.376/.472 in 88 Double-A games before switching clubs, also stealing 14 bases while playing the three infield spots to the left of first base. He’ll give the Cubs some depth around the dirt but has just three games of Triple-A experience, so might be ticketed for more time on the farm.
Wrong Davis is linked
I’m not surprised with Davis. He just couldn’t stay healthy. What could’ve been.
Well as a Rule 5 Draft player maybe no one will grab him, but the guy has some value.
So Hoyer is going to gamble to keep Aliendo for 2 years in a row while they keep Mastrobuoni, Wisdom and Madrigal again and again and again. Those 3 guys are like Herpes. You keep them forever if you’re Hoyer. At least Davis is finally gone. That’s something at least. Probably shouldn’t talk he’ll probably be back on a Minor League deal tomorrow.
I believe Friday is the no tender deadline so they’ve still got a couple days. I’m hoping they get rid of them but I’m fully expecting Hoyer to hold onto all of them. Gotta love “intelligent spending”.
Yes Aliendo is a risk but don’t forget that if he is selected that the team choosing him has to keep a AA catcher, ranked in the teens among Cubs prospect on their major league roster the entire season.
Probably more risky for the selecting team to keep a third catcher.
I would have kept him, but not a game changer.
Let’s play the Friday guessing game, Uncle: my non-tenders are: Madrigal, Wisdom, Wingenter.
I think Merryweather and Tauchman stay.
Keegan Thompson stays also, but we never have heard any more on the late season injury (did he pop the achilles or not).
Did I miss anyone on the arbitration eligible list??? I think Parades and Pearson might be eligible but are no brainers.
I’m all for bringing Keegan back for at least ST, That’s a no brainer. I know they’re going to sign at least a couple of free agents so there’s still hope I guess. I fully expect Aliendo to start at AAA next year. and be first man up. He would have been there last year IMO but missed some time. They don’t have enough C’s in the system to give them away. If Hoyer has a better plan for getting somebody better than Aliendo then I’ll relent. Until then he can kiss my ………Tauchman is now Counsell’s pet so I expect him in the Spring at least. Pearson and Merryweather also no brainers IMO to keep.
Unclemike, if you have Aliendo starting at AAA does that place Ballesteros up north behind Amaya?
After the Yan Gomes flop last season don’t you think a more solid front line catcher needs to he a priority. I’m sure there are none available but they need to be much better behind the plate.
You might as well know this: Ballesteros can’t catch. Not without a heck of a lot of work anyway. He has a Major League Bat and a 1o cent glove. You can only play him at 1B( And he’s no whiz there either) or DH. With Suzuki and Bellinger likely manning those spots or others. Ballesteros is 20 and nowhere near MLB ready anyway. He’ll be at AAA too and he can DH and split time with Aliendo. You might as well stop wishing for him to be in the Majors unless they need a DH. You’re wishing for a miracle.
2 more failed Cub prospects. Love it
name me a team that doesn’t?
How are they, specifically Adzolay “failed?”
I always consider Cubs’ “prospects” as suspects.
Such as?
Damn adbert gone
Brennan Davis had so much potential but all the injuries got to him
Brennan Davis surprised me. However anyone who has Back problems understands, you can never depend on that person from day to day. Really liked the guy, but Cassie, Alcantara, Canario looking ready, there is a OF log jam. Even DH, a lot of youth need spots.
Please let Wisdom walk…