Cubs Roster Crunch post-deadline

I don’t know why I enjoy analyzing Cubs roster decisions, but for some reason, I’d rather spend mental energy thinking about who will be the 8th guy in the bullpen as opposed to endlessly debating Ohtani versus PCA for MVP.

With the trade deadline in the rear-view mirror, and several pitchers starting rehab assignments, the Cubs have several roster decisions they’ve just made and several more upcoming.

The offense did not have much to decide: Justin Dean was replaced by Kevin Alcantara, who was then replace by Tyrone Taylor. When Matt Shaw comes back, he will replace James Triantos. I was thinking that Dean might be a pinch runner/defensive replacement for the late season and/or playoffs, but I wonder if the Taylor acquisition makes him redundant.

But the pitching staff is where we have seen and will see the most changes.

Here was the bullpen a few days ago:

• Webb
• Rolison
• Thielbar
• Thornton
• Ferguson
• Civale
• Woodford
• Kelly

Here is the bullpen now, with Gausman and Holmes joining the rotation:

• Webb
• Zeferjahn
• Rolison
• Thielbar
• Thornton
• Civale
• Rea
• Assad?

And with Palencia, Milner and Roberts coming back very soon, here’s what it could look like in a week:

• Palencia
• Webb
• Zeferjahn
• Rolison
• Theilbar
• Milner
• Rea
• Assad/Civale/Thornton/Roberts

And then, with Cabrera, Harvey, Brown, Riley Martin, Maton, Hollowell and possibly even Steele or Miller getting healthy, things get really crazy.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

1. You can never count on anything in regards to injuries – ether the timeline for players returning from injury or new injuries that might occur – so there is no chance that all of these pitchers will be available.
2. Some of these players have minor league options and others do not, so that could play a role in roster decisions.

With that being said, here is my September pitching staff projection:

• SP – Holmes
• SP – Gausman
• SP – Imanaga
• SP – Boyd
• SP – Cabrara
• CL – Palencia
• RP – Webb
• RP – Zeferjahn
• RP – Rolison
• RP – Milner
• RP – Thielbar
• RP – Peterson
• RP – Rea
• RP – Brown (27th roster spot after Sept 1)

That leaves Assad, Maton and Harvey out. It also means that Thornton and Civale would be waived. Hollowell and Martin could stay in AAA. And Steele and Miller would stay on the injured list.