Chicago Cubs Must Decide Futures of Four Players Out of Options
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The Chicago Cubs have four players that are out of minor league options that they must decide whether or not they will make the Opening Day roster or lose them to another team on waivers.
Per the new CBA, a player now has three options, or "option years" in which a player may be sent down to the minors in three different seasons, but never more than five times in one year.
The Cubs have Justin Steele, Julian Merryweather, Zach McKinstry, and Adbert Alzolay on the 40-man roster, but must make the 26-man roster out of camp in order to avoid waivers.
Good news for all four is that all are projected to make the Opening Day Roster. Steele has been an absolute revelation and could be one of the most important cogs in the rotation this season. Alzolay is slated to make the bullpen, but Merryweather is more of a toss up. The fact he is out of options helps his prospects of making the team, but the team very well could turn to Mark Leiter Jr. or Michael Rucker instead.
McKinstry is a near lock to make the roster as a bench piece.
Unlike most teams, Chicago doesn't have much to worry about in terms of a roster crunch as Opening Day rapidly approaches.
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