Over the offseason, the Chicago Cubs made a rather risky decision, sending one among their former high prospects to the Miami Marlins for Vidal Brujan. First baseman Matt Mervis, who had appreciable success within the minors, was coming off his first down 12 months in 2024 earlier than departing the Windy Metropolis. However the threat implied wasn’t in dealing Mervis.
In two stints with the Cubs, Mervis did not impress, hitting a mere .155 with three house runs in 116 major-league at-bats. And with Michael Busch thriving at first base, Mervis’ presence with the membership grew to become superfluous. Buying and selling for a participant like Brujan, who was as soon as MLB Pipeline’s No. 50 prospect and might play all around the diamond, made sense.
Nonetheless, like Mervis, Brujan had additionally failed to provide on the major-league stage, hitting .189 with 5 house runs in 497 at-bats whereas enjoying for the Rays and Marlins. And much more regarding is the truth that Brujan is out of minor-league choices. If he’s to be demoted, he’ll must be DFA’d. Now, it appears this obvious threat is near turning into a actuality.
After the collection in Tokyo, Brujan shortly fell on the injured checklist, preserving him on the group whereas not on the roster. Earlier than his return, the Cubs optioned their high prospect and third baseman, Matt Shaw, resulting from his struggles, basically saving themselves from designating both Brujan or fellow infielder, Gage Workman, for project upon the previous’s return.
Nonetheless, Chicago ultimately did half with Workman to carry again veteran utilityman Nicky Lopez. Workman’s absence leaves Brujan because the final weak place participant on the Cubs’ roster. That brings us again to Matt Shaw.
When Shaw was demoted, supervisor Craig Counsell, together with president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, voiced a desire to have Shaw enhance in Triple-A and return this season. Up to now, Shaw has made some encouraging progress. After some temporary preliminary struggles, Shaw is now hitting .324/.457/.486 with one house run in 37 at-bats coming into Friday. At this price, we are able to count on Shaw to return someday quickly.
Upon Shaw’s eventual promotion, the Cubs could have a painful determination to make on Brujan. Ought to they lose Brujan on the waiver wire, the Mervis commerce could have been for nothing. This begs the query of whether or not the Cubs sorely mismanaged Mervis, who has proven some important energy potential with the Marlins, having hit seven house runs on the 12 months and ideally might have been utilized in a commerce for pitching assist somewhat than a swap for Brujan.
This season, Brujan is 2-for-7 with a double coming into Friday’s match towards the Brewers. He additionally not too long ago got here underneath hearth from Counsell for misplaying a grounder.
