Bleacher Bums Forum

The Austin signing is pretty much a no-risk scenario.

They liked him, had a ton of 40-man room when signed, and got him ($1.25) for not much more than the MLB minimum salary ($780,000).

If end up signing somebody better (say, Andujar) and have no room for Austin—no problem. Out of options and goes on waivers and, if claimed, the claiming team pays the $1.25 salary. If not claimed, very likely will agree to report to Iowa because otherwise forfeits the $1.25 and not so bad to have AAA insurance at that price if need him later—even assuming, for sake of discussion, he has a guaranteed deal.

Don’t think Austin is a roster lock if Hoyer can get somebody more appealing.

If signed Andujar, think he would be primary DH against lefties and occasional 1B platoon guy when Counsell wants to DH Suzuki against a lefty.

Actually, in addition to Andujar, Cubs could use a lefty bat off bench who can play RF/CF——old friend FA Mike Tauchman maybe  a possibility.

So, bench of back-up catcher, Shaw, Andujar, Tauchman (and Ballesteros DH). That would cover a range of in-game possibilities. If can do without the lefty OF bench guy, then Alcantara probably makes club.

Of course, more likely no-Andujar and Austin makes club…but sure seems liked Cubs not done with bench given Hoyer’s recent remarks.  Another possibility is Randal Grichuk for the Alcantara spot.

40-man now had 23 pitchers and 17 position players.