Chicago Cubs Rumors: Why Matt Mervis has not returned to the big league squad

According to a report from The Athletics's Sahadev Sharma, first baseman prospect Matt Mervis has been making swing adjustments in Triple A Iowa.

These swing adjustments, which Mervis is working closely with Iowa Cubs hitting coach John Mallee, are supposedly why Mervis has not been called back up to the big league squad.

With the Cubs trying to win every game they can before the trade deadline, it makes sense that the team wants Mervis to work on these tweaks in Iowa. For one, there would be an immense amount of pressure on Mervis to not only get his swing down but also fill the shoes of a certain slugging first baseman that is no longer on the team.

There is a clear need for an Anthony Rizzo type of hitter on this team and Mervis fits the mold. Both are power-hitting lefty first basemen that play excellent defense. However, with the main players on this team not performing and Mervis inexperienced, it would be a lot of pressure to have him work through his slump/adjustments at the big-league level. Especially after his first big league stint seeing him hit just .163 with 3 home runs.

I would expect to see Mervis again after the trade deadline, when it will be much clearer what the future holds for the team. I expect the Cubs will not have a major shift that propels them into buyers.

Even if they do buy at the deadline, Mervis will be back at some point this year because he has been hitting well in Iowa since getting sent down. The team is also seeing unbelievably bad production at first base right now between Trey Mancini and Jarred Young. The door is wide open for Mervis and the Cubs could certainly use another power bat, especially because Cody Bellinger's days with the team are likely numbered.

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