In MLB, roster spots are a valuable commodity.
Unfortunately, the number of roster spots for each team is limited.
As a result, most organizations often encounter difficult decisions to make.
The Chicago Cubs, needing a roster spot, designated Eric Hosmer for assignment on Friday.
Hosmer is a respected player in baseball and a World Series champion.
However, facts are facts, he hasn’t done anything to warrant a roster spot in years.
The Cubs have designated Eric Hosmer for assignment, per @sahadevsharma pic.twitter.com/okGEx1nYrC
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 19, 2023
Ever since the Padres signed Hosmer to a head-scratching eight-year, $144 million contract before the 2018 season, his career has taken a turn for the worse.
He struggled to stay afloat in San Diego before the team decided to eat millions of dollars and traded him to the Boston Red Sox last year.
He failed to perform there and hit the market in the offseason, where he signed a cheap deal with the Cubs.
With Trey Mancini and recently called-up prospect Matt Mervis available to play first base, the organization felt that Hosmer’s services were no longer required.
Already 33, it’s unlikely that Hosmer returns to the level that made him a .800+ OPS hitter in three seasons with the Royals.
This year, he is batting just .234/.280/.330 with two homers over 100 plate appearances.
Someone should scoop him up and give him at the very least a minor league deal.
However, his upside at this point is severely capped.
Hosmer is also a defensive liability in first base, so it’s hard to roster a designated hitter who doesn’t really hit.
The Cubs will be moving on without him.
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