Steve Clevenger May Win Final Bench Spot

[waldo7239117]

Chicago Cubs beatwriter Carrie Muskat reports Steve Clevenger is in the lead to win the final spot on the roster. Muskat says Sveum likes what Clevenger is doing and that he's a left-handed bat off the bench. Sveum would love to have a lefty bat come off the bench like Clevenger. Don't forget, Clevenger is having one hell of a spring!

Yesterday I wrote an article up stating the Cubs will likely sign a guy off the waiver wire to fill the final spot on the roster. Most notably Bill Hall or Chrone Figgins, both of whom were released this spring and now are free agents. However, news changes all the time and that may not be the case anymore.

Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com said the Cubs will most likely sign a guy off the waiver wire. He's not alone and other media outlets reported the same.

As of right now, Clevenger will be on the roster come April 1st. Clevenger will be the 3rd catcher on the roster, the back-up 1B and a back-up at 3B if needed. He's pretty versatile and that's not to see.

Clevenger would have had no shot at making the team out of camp without a huge spring. Going into camp, Clevenger was told he will be the starting catcher for Triple A- Iowa. In all fairness, props to Clevenger!

Don't mis-read the information, the Cubs could sign a guy off the waiver wire and Clevenger won't make the team. Clevenger is just in the lead right now, but if the right guy came along, the Cubs will jump at the opportunity to sign the player.

Other note: The Cubs were one of many teams that scouted pitcher Chris Young. Young opted out of his contract with the Washington Nationals yesterday making him a free agent. Young has been on the decline for years and I don't what he has yet to offer. However, Young is reportedly in negotiations with the New York Mets.

http://www.chicitysports.com/2013/03/26/steve-clevenger-may-win-final-bench-spot/

 

[Rice Cube]

The Cubs apparently cut Alberto Gonzalez today so unless they do pick up a guy off waivers, the job should be Clevenger's.

 

[waldo7239117]

The Chicago Cubs have informed infielder Alberto Cabrera and relief pitcher Zack Putnam that they will not make the opening day roster. The cuts aren't official yet and both players are still in camp. Both players will be assigned to minor-league camp when the moves become official.

The Cubs currently have 32 players still in camp not including Cabrera and Putnam. However, Matt Garza, Scott Baker, Ian Stewart and Arodys Vizcaino will begin the season on the DL. In reality, the Cubs have 28 active bodies in camp. Steve Clevenger, J.C. Boscan, Brett Jackson, Hisanori Takahashi and Cory Wade are the only ones fighting for a roster spot, though.

Clevenger is in the lead for the final bench spot on the roster, but the Cubs are keeping an eye on the waiver wire. To see if the right player comes available, but that's hasn't happened yet.

The Cubs are also keeping an eye on the waiver wire for the final spot in the bullpen. But the likely player to win the final spot in the 'pen is Takahashi. Since he's a lefty and the Cubs only have one lefty in the 'pen (James Russell). Wade will be optioned to Triple-A before April 1st.

Jackson and Boscan will also be sent to Triple-A Iowa in the coming days. Jackson was kept around in camp because the Cubs wanted him to play in another cactus league game before spring training ends. Jackson has been dealing with a bum shoulder most of the spring. However, Jackson is expected to play in Thursday's cactus league game. So, that's good news to hear...

5 more days until opening day! Who's as pump as I am? Go Cubs!

http://www.chicitysports.com/2013/03/27/chicago-cubs-roster-notes/