Chicago Cubs DFA Former All-Star
It was a head-scratcher when they brought him in before the season, but the experiment didn’t last long. The Chicago Cubs have designated for assignment former All-Star first baseman Eric Hosmer.
The Cubs have DFA'd Eric Hosmer, per @sahadevsharma pic.twitter.com/urWHoACiN5
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 19, 2023
Yes, the 13-year veteran is, by all accounts, an excellent teammate and great in the clubhouse. But it's only so long that a team can continue going with a player that had an OPS+ of 67 (that's 33% below the average player), was unable to get on base (.280 OBP) and provided very little power (.330 slugging).
It's become clear over the past few seasons that Hosmer's time as an effective major league player is well in the rearview mirror.
The San Diego Padres are still on the hook for well over $30M in salary that Hosmer is still owed through the 2025 season. They dumped him on the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline last year, who then released him in the offseason.
The Cubs decided to take a shot, signing him to the major league minimum, but all he was doing was taking up at-bats from more promising young players.
In the meantime, with the placement of Cody Bellinger on the IL, the Cubs needed to get another center fielder on the roster.
On decision to DFA Eric Hosmer, Ross said there were a lot of underlying reasons but main one: though Morel can play CF, the Cubs wanted true a CF on roster with Bellinger on IL. That meant 40-man spot for Tauchman.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) May 19, 2023
Ross: "If Belli doesn't go down Hosmer's probably still here."
In fact, manager David Ross tried to ease the sting on the veteran Hosmer by framing his DFA around the fact that they needed a 40-man roster spot for Mike Tauchman.
The Cubs now have seven days to trade, waive, or release Hosmer.
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