One Cubs insider all but confirms the decision on the final roster spot

In the coming days, the Chicago Cubs will likely finalize their Opening Day roster for when they resume regular-season play against the Arizona Diamondbacks next Thursday.

Back from Japan, the Cubs have already begun trimming their roster. Jordan Wicks and Eli Morgan were optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, and veteran infielder Nicky Lopez was granted his release on Friday.

There aren't too many questions facing the Cubs as they make their final roster decisions. Veteran Brad Keller is expected to be added to the 40-man roster and will have a spot in the Cubs' bullpen to open the season. The corresponding move to add Keller to the 40-man roster may be tied to the decision the Cubs will make for their final bench spot.

It's a decision is down to either Vidal Bruján or Gage Workman, both offseason addtions for the Cubs. The Cubs traded Matt Mervis to the Miami Marlins last January while Workman was selected by the team in the Rule 5 draft. The risk in the decision for the Cubs is whoever they don't choose, will likely find their way out of the organization. Bruján is out of minor-league options while Workman would be sent back to the Detroit Tigers if he is not on the Cubs' Major League roster for the duration of the season. Of course, it remains possible the Cubs work out a trade with the Tigers to gain the full rights to Workman and the minor-league options that come with that.

Cubs may have the final spot on their bench figured out

In resetting where things stand with the Cubs' roster upon their return from Japan, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic has Workman on the inside track for the final spot on the Cubs' bench. As Sharma mentions, Workman being a switch-hitter with plus defense at multiple positions could be why the Cubs are comfortable with him making the jump from Double-A to the Major Leagues. Workman also has more power in his offensive profile than Bruján. While Bruján's speed could be an argument in his favor, it does lose value when you consider that veteran Jon Berti is also on the bench and previously led the National League stolen bases in 2023.