The Chicago Cubs listen to fans and say goodbye to Eric Hosmer

The Eric Hosmer experiment has officially ended for the Chicago Cubs as the veteran first baseman was designated for assignment on Friday.

Hosmer was pegged by the Cubs to be an upgrade from the production that the team received from the first base position in 2022. Instead, Hosmer was just as bad as the returns that the Cubs got from Frank Schwindel and Alfonso Rivas.

Through 100 plate appearances this season, Hosmer slashed .234/.280/.330 with a wRC+ of 67. The Cubs touted the presence that Hosmer had in the team's clubhouse but with first base prospect Matt Mervis graduating to the Major League level, the veteran first baseman had little to no value to the team moving forward. The move should also be more confirmation that the Cubs are moving forward with the plan of having Mervis at the Major League level for the duration of the season.

Edwin Rios had 2 hits in 25 plate appearances during his initial run at the Major League level with the Cubs this season but it would seem that a lack of playing time prevented Rios from finding any offensive rhythm this season.

Cody Bellinger landing on the IL is an unfortunate outcome considering this continues a trend where the Cubs elected to play with a shortened roster only to place the injured player on the IL after an off day. Mike Tauchman is slashing .278/.427/.443 in 103 plate appearances with the Iowa Cubs this season.

Keegan Thompson being optioned to Triple-A appeared to be inevitable after his role in the Cubs blowing a 6-1 lead against the Houston Astros on Wednesday. Thompson has a 4.22 ERA on the season but the concern is the 6.75 strikeouts per 9 innings ratio along with averaging 5.91 walks per 9 innings.

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