Craig Counsell is repeating a Cubs' mistake with Kevin Alcantara that is all too familiar

When the Chicago Cubs recalled Kevin Alcantara from Triple-A Iowa over the weekend, there was hope that this time would be different. Unlike Pedro Ramirez, who has promoted to replace an injured Matt Shaw, Alcantara's return felt like a lever that was being pulled. He was replacing the wasted spot of Nicky Lopez on the bench, and it happened at a time when both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki were struggling.

There's been clear opportunities for Craig Counsell to give Alcantara a start in the outfield, especially with Happ having Saturday and Sunday off, but the veteran manager has turned to Michael Conforto as part of his desire to move things around in the starting lineup. Conforto is hitless through his last 16 plate appearances with six strikeouts.

Meanwhile, Alcantara has just one plate appearance since returning to the big-league club over the weekend. It's been the trend for Alcantara since he made his debut with the Cubs at the end of the 2024 season. He had just 10 plate appearances in his initial run with the Cubs, and only 12 plate appearances last year.

Kevin Alcantara continues to waste away on the Cubs' bench

In each of those instances, it made sense. The Cubs had established starters at each outfield spot, and if nothing else, Alcantara was injury insurance. There also wasn't a dire need for Counsell to move parts around.

That's not the case this time around. The Cubs are in the middle of a nine-game losing streak, and the struggles of Happ, Suzuki, and Moises Ballesteros are a part of the reason why. Happ is carrying an OPS of .708 in May while striking out over 38% of the time, and Suzuki has an OPS of .558. Counsell has given each veteran ample time to break out of the slump they've been in, but now is the time where more drastic measures should be considered.

That drastic measure is giving Alcantara regular starts in the outfield. Sure, he still had a strikeout problem with the I-Cubs this season, but he also had 15 home runs and an OPS of .906. For a Cubs team looking for answers, one potential solution is staring Counsell directly in the face.

Long-term wise, Alcantara is out of minor-league options after this season. Meaning, the Cubs ideally know by the end of the season if he could be a permanent replacement for Happ or Suzuki next season. It's going to be difficult for them to find that answer if Counsell refuses to play Alcantara.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow