The Cubs need to jettison this player so Michael Busch can take the next step

Playing matchups is part of the game. But doing so when the numbers, no matter how you slice them, don't support the decision is maddening to fans. But that's been the story all season long when it comes to the Chicago Cubs and rookie first baseman Michael Busch.

Craig Counsell has repeatedly and consistently opted for the power bat of Patrick Wisdom in key spots against lefties, especially late in games. He's even opted to sit Busch with certain left-handed starters on the mound. The more you dig into the numbers, the less this decision makes sense.

In his career, Wisdom has been marginally more effective against lefties than righties in his big-league career. But his performance against southpaws has cratered this season, with his OPS down more than 100 points over his career mark in those matchups. On the year, he's slashing just .188/.255/.365 with a 34 percent strikeout rate.

Meanwhile, Busch has held his own against lefties despite being a left-handed hitter, putting up a .271/.323/.400 line with a 25 percent strikeout rate in 93 trips to the plate. In his first full MLB season, he's emerged as an above-average player both at the plate and in the field, putting up a 118 OPS+ and giving the Cubs top-level defense at first base.

Wisdom, who turned 33 in August, is already an on-the-fence piece heading into the offseason. Frankly, this team needs to shake up the roster where it can and there are better ways to spend the roughly $3 million he'll earn in arbitration. Placed in more favorable matchups this year, his performance has dropped sharply, and it's hard to see how he fits into the team's long-term plans at this point.

As was the case with Anthony Rizzo early in his career, at some point, he'll have to face left-handed pitching. While Rizzo struggled a lot initially in those spots, Busch has shown the ability to handle them - even as a rookie - and there's no reason why the Cubs should head to camp next year expecting him to platoon again.