The Chicago Cubs have one more issue to consider as they gear up for a rough road trip. They have to finally make that big decision regarding their utility men.
It could be argued that the Cubs have bigger fish to fry than what to do with their second utility infielder.
After all, lefty ace Justin Steele just went on the injured list with left elbow tendonitis. Their bullpen has also proven itself to be way too inconsistent if the goal is postseason play. Rookie third baseman Matt Shaw, although showing signs of promise, is batting well below .200.
Other problems aside, though, the Vidal Brujan or Gage Workman decision will have to be made soon, as Brujan is now working his rehab stint in Triple-A.
The Chicago Cubs Must Decide Soon: Vidal Brujan or Gage Workman?
Brujan was acquired from the Miami Marlins for once top-rated first base prospect Matt Mervis. Workman, meanwhile, was a Rule 5 draft selection from the Detroit Tigers. Both were expected to compete for the same major league utility roster role.
And while the 25-year-old Workman excelled in spring training play, the 27-year-old Brujan finished the spring with a right elbow sprain, necessitating a stint on the injured list.
This turn of events gave the Cubs a brief reprieve when it came to choosing one or the other for the big league squad. With Brujan’s injury, Workman got the spot.
But the can has been kicked to the end of the road. The Brujan/Workman decision will have to be made soon. And, unfortunately, with Brujan out of minor league options and Workman’s Rule 5 limitations, the player not selected will likely be gone from the roster completely.
Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation outlined the situation in a recent article:
“Vidal Brujan started his rehab assignment at Iowa last night, so the clock is officially ticking again on the Cubs’ Brujan-Gage Workman decision. By the time Brujan is ready to come up, maybe Workman will have gotten dinged. Or maybe the Cubs will work out a side trade with the Tigers for Workman’s full rights, and then he can be optioned to Triple-A (where he almost assuredly still needs work).
Either way, unless there are a couple injuries, there won’t be a lot of starts available for whomever has that spot. Jon Berti and Justin Turner will consistently get the first opportunities off of the bench. Brujan’s ability to play center field would be the separator, though Pete Crow-Armstrong won’t be sitting very often.”
Realistically, this is a tussle over the backup utility man slot on the major league roster. It becomes a more important roster spot, though, as the season rolls on and injury/fatigue become greater factors.
Workman Needs Work
At this point, as promising as Workman is, he’s a more awkward fit when it comes to the Cubs’ needs as a team. Early on, it’s become pretty obvious that skipping over Triple-A entirely has not been to his benefit. He needs more seasoning and he needs more every day playing time.
The Cubs, meanwhile, need someone who can “just” play the role they need– defense, speed off the bench, and an emergency/temporary fill-in when needed.
Does Brujan Make Sense?
Brujan is that guy, despite the lifetime .189 batting average and the fact that he, unlike Workman, will most likely never be an every day player. For the benefit of everyone involved, Workman should be returned to the Tigers per Rule 5 draft rules.
In a best of both world scenario, the Cubs and the Tigers would work out a deal that would allow Workman to remain a Cub and develop further in Iowa. Time will tell if that’s a workable solution.
In the meantime, the time is fast approaching for the Cubs to choose between their two utility men.
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