4 Cubs players who are rapidly losing grip on their current roles

After a ten-game winning streak, the Chicago Cubs have come back down to earth during their series against the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves. It's not quite at the point where the Cubs need to make any dramatic changes, but it's fair to wonder if Craig Counsell may need to tweak a role or two as the Cubs look to shift their momentum once again.

Overall, the Cubs need their pitching to get healthy. As long as the Cubs have a revolving door across their pitching staff, there is going to be a cap to their success. Add the fact that Nico Hoerner and Moises Ballesteros have slumped since the calendar flipped to May, and there was bound to be an overall regression for the Cubs.

These Cubs players are dangerously close to losing their current roles

For most of these players, the reality is that the Cubs need them to perform. This is the best roster the Cubs have had since arguably 2018. They've spent well over $200 million and are expected to enter the luxury tax; results are needed. So, in some instances, we're not suggesting the Cubs rid themselves of a player, but rather adjust the path forward.

Moises Ballesteros

No, the Cubs aren't at the point where a trip back to Triple-A Iowa is needed. There's a segment of Cubs fans who believe that is the best path forward for Ballesteros, as it would allow him to catch every day and develop his skills behind the plate. Ballesteros is with the Cubs this season because of his bat, and his current slump is not at the point where a trip back to the minors is needed.

That being said, as long as Ballesteros is slumping, there shouldn't be a need for Counsell to force his bat in the lineup as a catcher. That can blur the lines between the Ballesteros trying to work his way out of the slump he's in, but also trying to improve his skills as a catcher. With Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, Ballesteros is in a spot where he can focus on ending his slump.

Nicky Lopez

Holding onto the final spot on the bench, no one is going to stress over the fact that Nicky Lopez is on the roster. Lopez is liked within the clubhouse, and does offer Craig Counsell added depth in case the DH platoon between Ballesteros and Matt Shaw leaves the Cubs without an infielder on the bench at the end of games.

That being said, as the Cubs look for ways to round out their roster in the weeks ahead, it feels like the role will eventually go to Pedro Ramirez. Ramirez has defensive versatility across the infield and has started to get reps in the outfield. It feels like the ascending prospect is making a strong case to soon replace Lopez on the bench.

Colin Rea

Colin Rea has been the unsung hero of the Cubs' pitching staff over the last two years. Injuries have once again thrust him into the starting rotation, and as was the case against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rea's start against the Atlanta Braves this week was a reminder that his ceiling as a starting pitcher is low.

As the Cubs search for meaningful upgrades in the starting rotation, Rea will inevitably be moved back into the bullpen. He provides the most value to the Cubs as a swing man, and the sooner he is back in the role, the better for the Cubs' pitching staff.

Phil Maton

Phil Maton had strung together eight consecutive scoreless outings before his appearance against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night, and it looked like he was becoming the high-leverage option the Cubs expected him to be when he signed a two-year deal with the team in the offseason.

That progress was undone on Wednesday with Maton failing to preserve the tie game the Cubs had in the eighth inning. Maton also gave up a two-run home run that highlighted the reality that he's probably not worthy of a high-leverage role at the moment.

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