Report: Cubs "showing serious interest" in Josh Rojas |
While the Cubs roster continues to take shape as we inch closer to Spring training, some areas still need to be addressed. Adding another starter is something the Cubs would love to do, but that isn't as much of a need as some of these spots. More bullpen help should be at the top of their list, but for whatever reason, the Cubs don't seem to be focussing on that as much as they should.
Offensively, most of the roster is set in stone, although there are some questions across the infield. Third base remains the biggest hole to fill at this point, but the Cubs are expected to give Matt Shaw a look in spring, and the job appears to be his loss right now. Apart from that, you have Miles Mastrobuoni, Gage Workman, and the newly acquired Vidal Brujan as their bench options, and when you look at that group, it's a very weak bench. Clearly, the Cubs need more options than just those three guys and would love, at the very least, to add someone off the bench with some pop. Enter the Josh Rojas conversation, as the Cubs are one of five teams actively looking to add the utility man. Primarily a 3B and 2B guy for most of his career, Rojas has also seen time at short, making him the perfect utility fit for Craig Counsell. Looking further into that, you will notice that Rojas started over 100 games at the hot corner last season, which makes him an option for a short-term fit at either second or third should Shaw not be ready and Nico Hoerner is dealt or injured to start the season. Having a guy capable of playing both those positions for an extended period is great for any team, but Rojas is someone who has been around long enough to know what role he plays on a team and can fill that role well. The 31-year-old veteran has been in this league for nearly a decade and, despite some good years overall, has never been what you would call a great player. However, he has been above-average to a good player several times and, at the very worst, will be an average player wherever he lands. That is more than what many of the Cubs reserves could say from a season ago, with Patrick Wisdom, Mastrobuoni, and Nick Madrigal coming to mind. Even if he isn't the great player this team is looking for, Rojas is still better than all three of these options, which makes the Cubs a better team. Despite seeing action in more than 100 games last season, Rojas struggled at the plate, finishing the season with a .225 average. He still managed to hit eight homers and drive in 31 RBIs, so there were times when he was producing enough to remain in the lineup. Looking back over his entire career, Rojas has never been a great hitter, as his career high in average was .269 with the Diamondbacks in 2022. That came after hitting .264 in 2021, his best year as a player. Rojas hit a career-high 11 homers in 2021 with 44 RBIs before turning around and hitting nine homers with a career-best 58 RBIs in 2022. He also stole 23 bases that same season, as speed has never been a big part of his game. Even if his offensive numbers don't scream as a reliable option, his 11.3% career walk rate is right around average, while the 20.8% strikeout rate is below the league average of 23.4%. That is a good thing, as Rojas may not always hit the ball, but he can put the ball in play. Another thing the Cubs love about Rojas is that he is a switch hitter, making him valuable in virtually any situation. Last season, he was better from the left side of the plate and hit .240, which is slightly below his career .250 average from the left side. It's not great, but it's a better option than the Cubs have had in recent seasons. Projected to make close to $4.5 million before being cut by the Mariners, this is the perfect player for the Cubs to add to their bench. He will be a cost-friendly veteran option who offers a versatile glove and can hit from each side of the plate. Rojas is the true definition of a role player and someone the Cubs should be pushing to get.
