Chicago Cubs: Three DFA's to keep the roster at 40 players

Keeping up with the Chicago Cubs' 40-man roster, it's not a matter of if the front office decides to have corresponding moves to all the recent signings, but rather a matter of when. After the signings of Tucker Barnhart and Drew Smyly, the 40-man roster will sit at 42 players, which means no matter what, trades and/or cuts are coming. Hopefully, it will be in the form of trade, further bolstering the Cubs' chances of competing in 2023. Still, nevertheless, we must discuss the potential outcomes of an imminent roster crunch.

We know that at least two corresponding moves are coming from yesterday's additions. With the Cubs expecting to add another bat to the middle of the lineup, that number could quickly jump to three. It's safe to anticipate that there will need at least three DFAs or trades in the coming weeks. Let's look at three candidates that will likely be left off the Cubs' 30-man roster come the start of the 2023 season.

3 Chicago Cubs DFA candidates - 3. Zach McKinstry

After the Cubs signed Dansby Swanson to a seven-year deal, Zach McKinstry fell further down the pecking order regarding infielders. Though he can play multiple positions, he's still stuck behind Swanson for SS, Hoerner & Madrigal at 2B, and Wisdom and Morel for 3B. The only viable spot for him would be as a backup outfielder, who the Cubs could also utilize Morel for, further limiting the options for McKinstry altogether.

McKinstry also doesn't fit the bill as a DH. in 2022; he hit just .199/.273/.361 in 166 ABs. Though the Cubs' payroll is starting to creep up there after the signing of Smyly and Barnhart, the Cubs have stated they want to add another middle-of-the-lineup bat to supplement the offense. If that player is anything except a 1B/DH, that only adds to guys who will get reps before McKinstry. Somebody will surely be willing to pick him up, but for now, he seems to be near the top of the list of odd men out.