Chicago Cubs: The team should move on from Daniel Descalso

The Chicago Cubs Daniel Descalso has not played in a game since July 23. He was activated from the IL on September 1 and has yet to get in a game. The Cubs would be better parting ways, let Descalso try to catch on elsewhere.

I’m not telling you anything you don’t know about the Chicago Cubs Daniel Descalso. When Tommy La Stella was traded, the Cubs needed a backup second baseman. Ben Zobrist was thought to get the majority of at-bats at second, but Joe Maddon likes to move him around. So they signed Descalso to a two-year deal with a club option for a third. They shouldn’t get to a second year, if I may be so frank.

Descalso started fast, slashing a .263/.349/.408 with a .757 OPS with five doubles, two home runs and 11 RBI in the first month. Then Zobrist went on the restricted list May 6 while dealing with family issues and Descalso was thrown into the starting lineup. That was the beginning of the end for Descalso.

After that first month, Descalso has played in 49 games slashing a paltry .107/.224/.131. He has just four RBI and a WAR of -1.1. Let that sink in. He’s less than a sub. He’s a replacement player. Overall on the season, he has a slash line of .181/.283/.263 with a .545 OPS with a career-low OPS+ of 42.

He’s owed $2.5 million next season with a club option for $3.5 million. To be honest, I can’t see them holding on to Descalso after this year. He was injured, but how hurt was the question. I believe that they didn’t remove him from the IL until September call-ups because he wasn’t worth the roster spot.

You’ve got David Bote, Robel Garcia and Addison Russell that could fill that void as a backup second baseman. Plus whatever the Chicago Cubs do in free agency to help the cause. Look, any one of those players are better than a -1.1 WAR. Even Zobrist is better at a -0.2 WAR.

I don’t know if Jed Hoyer or Theo Epstein see anything in him that would benefit him getting a second year. Maddon doesn’t trust him even to pinch-hit other than low-leverage spots, so that says something. Also, if he has a buyout, do it. Part ways, give Descalso the chance to catch on somewhere else and move on. It’s better just to rip the band-aid off.