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Prior to the Chicago Cubs' victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night, the team made a roster move as they designated veteran utility infielder David Bote for assignment after claiming relief pitcher Gavin Hollowell off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Hollowell was assigned to Triple-A Iowa while the Cubs promoted utility infielder Luis Vazquez to take Bote's spot on the Major League roster.
With the Cubs holding club options on Bote's contract for 2025 and 2026, this season had the sniff of being the veteran infielder's last with the organization. A previous outright from the 40-man roster after the 2022 season kept Bote in the minor leagues for the entirety of the 2023 season before he finally made his way back to the Major League level this season.
Bote was an easy player for Cubs fans to root for. Over the course of his career with the Cubs, he had memorable moments, including a Grand Slam walk-off against the Washington Nationals.
It’s an end of an era, but a legendary story we’ll never forget
— CHGO Cubs (@CHGO_Cubs) August 23, 2024
pic.twitter.com/BXTZA8K7jx
As the Cubs continue to barely cling onto being a part of the conversation for a National League Wild Card spot, a move like the one the team made on Friday may inch the team closer to a youth movement during the closing month of the season.
Bote, to his credit, slashed .304/.333/.391 through 48 plate appearances this season with a 105 wRC+, but the addition of Isaac Paredes, along with Patrick Wisdom being the preferred pinch hitter for Craig Counsell signaled fewer opportunities for the 31-year-old infielder.
Counsell would be wise to give some plate appearances to Vazquez down the stretch as the Cubs begin to evaluate what prospects could be pieces on the 2025 Major League roster. Vazquez was up briefly with the Cubs earlier this season but only had one plate appearance.
With September being a week away, another player who may soon have the same fate as Bote is Mike Tauchman. Pete Crow-Armstrong has cemented himself as the starting center fielder at the Major League level and with Cody Bellinger healthy, Tauchman only has 16 plate appearances this month. Owen Caissie is expected to be a September call-up for the Cubs, with him needing to be added to the 40-man roster, Tauchman could be the next veteran out the door as the Cubs continue a soft-youth movement.