Chicago Cubs claim another pitcher off waivers, spotlighting roster desperation

The Chicago Cubs, on Monday, claimed right-handed pitcher Christian Roa off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.

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The 27-year-old 2020 second-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds has bounced around teams and organizations, recently going from the Astros to the Twins to the Orioles via waiver wire before coming to the Cubs.

Nothing really jumps out when looking at Roa’s career. He had success at the lower levels of the minors, struggled at the higher levels, and has had cups of coffee at the major league level with the Astros and Marlins. He was formerly a starter, but later switched to the bullpen amid control issues. So far this season, he’s posted a brutal 14.73 ERA through five games with three different organizations.

But he IS a warm body. And, right now, that’s good enough for the Cubs.

The Cubs’ pitching struggles

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Chicago has hit a rough patch. And although they are still in first place in the NL Central division and still tied for the second best record in baseball, one can start seeing the cracks in the team’s foundation that could lead to big-time problems in the immediate future.

Specifically, the pitching is the biggest issue.

The staff has been stressed and strained due to injury. Cade Horton is out for the season, Matthew Boyd, in his second IL stint, is recovering from surgery to repair a meniscus issue. Justin Steele’s return from elbow surgery has been pushed back. Meanwhile, the bullpen has been besieged with injury, as half of the team’s Opening Day bullpen roster is either on the IL currently or has been there at some point in the season.

Manager Craig Counsell has done an outstanding job of operating the pitchers revolving door and getting the most of a fractured pen with smart matchups. But at some point only so much can be done with replacement arms and emergency call-ups.

Sunday’s loss to the crosstown rival Chicago White Sox showcased the dire straits in which the team is starting to find itself.

They were forced to put a struggling Phil Maton into the game in the bottom of the eighth inning with the score tied 4-4. Maton proceeded to give up two hits, a walk, and a three-run home run.

After the Cubs battled back to tie the game and send it to extra innings, minor league contract player and emergency call-up Ryan Rolison was brought into the game, where he gave up a walk-off homer in the tenth.

Again, one can only do so much with replacement arms and emergency call-ups.

Exhausting all options

So far this season, amid the injury struggles, the Cubs have manned the waiver wires to add depth arms. They’ve brought in Luis Peralta, Liam Hendricks, Ty Blach, Doug Nikhazy, and now Roa to provide options.

This is in addition to the massive stockpiling of arms via minor league contract in the offseason, a seemingly prescient move that added names such as Collin Snider, Kyle Wright, Vince Velasquez, Trent Thornton, Yacksel Rios, Charlie Barnes, Ryan Rolison, Tyler Beede, John Brigham, Tyler Ras, and, Gabe Klobosits, and Corbin Martin to the organization. Many of them have already pitched for the big league squad.

With a long and grueling season still ahead—and deep playoff aspirations in mind—the Cubs will have to bite the bullet and make an uncomfortable trade to acquire some long-term stability for their battered pitching staff.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-claim-pitcher-off-waivers-christian-roa/