5 2021 Chicago Cubs players you may have forgotten about already

We know that it was a tale of two halves for the Chicago Cubs. Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Craig Kimbrel, Joc Pederson, Jake Marisnick, Andrew Chafin, and Ryan Tepera were all moved at the trade deadline, and the roster we have here at the end of 2021 looks almost nothing like the one we had at the beginning of the season.

While you probably remember all those players, there’s a chance you have forgotten about some of the other players that have come and gone this season on the north side of Chicago. There are many we could highlight, but here we’ll take a look at just five of them. Do you remember their time in a Cub uniform?

Chicago Cubs: Five players you may have forgotten about

1. Trevor Williams

After he spent four years on the rival Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cubs decided to take a flyer on the right-handed starting pitcher Trevor Williams this season. While with the team, he got into 13 games, including 12 starts, and posted a 5.06 ERA in 58 2/3 innings. It might be easy to forget, not only that he was with the club, but that he was also part of the Javier Baez trade to the New York Mets. Williams has gotten into eight games, including three starts, with the Mets and posted a solid 2.70 ERA.

2. Eric Sogard

Infielder Eric Sogard made the team out of spring training as a utility guy and was probably better known for his big glasses than for his hitting prowess. Despite providing some value with his ability to play several positions, Sogard was worth -0.6 WAR during his tenure with the Cubs, posting a weak OPS+ of 62 in 78 games. The Cubs finally released him on July 28.

3. Tony Wolters

The backup catcher position has been a revolving door all year, and Tony Wolters is among those who were given an opportunity early in the season. He still is the villain from the 2018 NL Wild Card game, when he was a member of the Colorado Rockies and drove in the game-winning run in extras. In a Cubs uniform this year, Wolters went just 3-for-24 before the Cubs released him.

4. Brandon Workman

Right-handed pitcher Brandon Workman had a nice run with the Boston Red Sox from 2017 to 2019 that included 16 saves and a 1.88 ERA in 2019. While he had a down 2020 between the Red Sox and Phillies, the Cubs gave him a chance early in 2021. It didn’t go that well, as he gave up six earned runs in just eight innings pitched. The Cubs released him at the end of April, and the Red Sox tried him out again before he was granted free agency.

5. Pedro Strop

Cubs fans know that during his first tenure with the club, Pedro Strop was one of the team’s most reliable relief pitchers. After he had an uncharacteristically down 2019, the team decided not to bring him back, and he went to the Cincinnati Reds for a year.

He only got into four games, and in many fans’ minds the Cubs righted a wrong by bringing him back for 2021. However, Strop only got into two games before he asked for, and was granted, his release. He’s now pitching in the Mexican League.