The Cubs are down to the wire as they finalize their 26-man roster for Opening Day. The battle for the final spot is getting intense between third baseman Gage Workman and utility man Vidal Bruján. And to make things even more interesting, both players could be gone if they don’t make the roster. Here’s the situation and how Seiya Suzuki might factor into it.
The Situation with Gage Workman
Workman, acquired via the Rule 5 draft, comes with strings attached. If he doesn’t make the Cubs’ Opening Day roster, the team has to offer him back to the Detroit Tigers. But there’s a workaround: the Cubs could negotiate a trade with the Tigers to get full rights to Workman. Under this scenario, Workman—who has yet to debut—gets all three of his minor league options back, giving the Cubs more flexibility.
Despite all the complexities, Workman has looked good in spring training. Manager Craig Counsell raved about him, saying he’s shown power from the left side, good plate discipline and strong defense.
“He’s a left-handed bat with some power, good plate discipline and a good defender,” Counsell said. “He’s shown all three of those things in a small sample. That’s hard to do.”
Workman’s ability to do so has made the decision even tougher for the front office.
The Case for Vidal Bruján
On the other hand, Vidal Bruján brings huge value to the roster. He’s a utility guy who can play every position except catcher. That’s a huge asset for a team like the Cubs who pride themselves on flexibility.
Bruján is out of minor league options, so if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, the Cubs would lose him on waivers. Given the Cubs traded Matt Mervis for him from the Miami Marlins, it’s unlikely they’d trade him away so soon.
Right now Bruján is slotted in as the backup to center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. But Counsell has been experimenting with lineups lately and that might open the door for Workman.
Seiya Suzuki’s Role in the Decision
One of the complications is Seiya Suzuki’s center field role. If the Cubs decide to keep Workman over Bruján, they’ll need a center field backup. While Suzuki has played in the outfield, relying on him in center field – even sparingly – feels like a risk for a team that’s built to win on the margins.
“Depending on Suzuki in center field feels like an unnecessary risk,” one analyst said. “And an infielder who hasn’t played above Double-A shouldn’t warrant that kind of roster gymnastics.”
But Counsell has been playing Suzuki in center and left field during Cactus League and if this keeps up, it could be a sign the tide is shifting towards keeping Workman.
FAQs About the Cubs’ Final Roster Spot Battle
Who is in the battle for the Cubs’ final roster spot?
The battle is primarily between Gage Workman, a Rule 5 draftee, and Vidal Bruján, a versatile utility player.
Why is this so complicated?
If Workman doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, the Cubs have to offer him back to the Detroit Tigers due to Rule 5 draft rules. Meanwhile Bruján is out of minor-league options so if he doesn’t make the team he can be lost on waivers.
What are Gage Workman’s strengths?
Workman has impressed with his left-handed power, plate discipline and defense in spring training. Counsell has even given him praise.
Why might the Cubs like Vidal Bruján?
Bruján is versatile – he can play almost every position except catcher – and the Cubs traded for him so they must see long term potential.
How does Seiya Suzuki factor in?
If the Cubs keep Workman they’ll need a center field backup. Suzuki has been playing center field in spring training but relying on him there feels like a risk.
