Chicago Cubs News: David Ross explanation of Eric Hosmer DFA makes no sense

The Chicago Cubs made a highly anticipated roster move on Friday as the team designated veteran first baseman Eric Hosmer for assignment.

When Hosmer signed a one-year deal with the Cubs for the league-minimum salary, there was an expectation that the veteran first baseman may not be long for the team's roster this season as first base prospect Matt Mervis was on the cusp of being Major League ready.

With Mervis graduating to the Major Leagues earlier this month, Hosmer's days were numbered and that is why the move on Friday was not a surprise.

What was a surprise was Cubs' manager David Ross' explanation for the move.

Much like many of Ross' in-game decisions, his explanation of why the team had designated Hosmer for assignment makes no sense.

Operating under Ross' theory, the team needed a true outfielder with center fielder Cody Bellinger landing on the injured list. Mike Tauchman is a true outfielder but was not on the Cubs' 40-man roster prior to Friday. The Cubs had to make room for Tauchman on the 40-man roster, so the logical move was to designate Hosmer for assignment.

Where Ross' reasoning falls apart is the recognition that outfielder Nelson Velazquez, who has regularly played center field in his stints at the Major League level already, is on the 40-man roster. Meaning, there would have been no need to create an opening on the 40-man roster had the Cubs decided to promote Velazquez to the Major League level in place of the injured Bellinger.

In all honesty, Ross was probably doing Hosmer a solid. Instead of calling a spade a spade, Ross likely did gymnastics around the real reason Hosmer was waived and that reason being that the veteran first baseman is no longer a competent Major League Baseball player.

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