Chicago Cubs: Craig Counsell explains Javier Assad demotion

On Friday, before the start of a three-game series with the Mariners in Seattle and amid a flurry of roster moves, the Chicago Cubs announced that pitcher Javier Assad had been optioned to Triple-A Iowa, again.

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Those who’ve lost track of the amount of times the 29-year-old right-hander as been sent down to the minors this season wouldn’t be alone. For the record, it’s officially been three times now, although Chicago also had him start the season in Iowa for the purpose of roster depth management.

This latest demotion comes just about a week after being called up from another demotion—and after delivering three clutch scoreless innings in relief of Kevin Gausman in a 4-3 win over the White Sox.

Another demotion

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Fans have not taken kindly to Assad’s demotions, especially since he’s performed so well as the team’s jack-of-all-trades multi-purpose glue throughout a season full of pitching injuries. On the year, the Mexico native has a 3.46 ERA through 22 games (10 starts and 12 relief appearances) and 83.1 innings pitched. Over his last 9 appearances, though, he’s been nearly lights out, posting a 1.71 ERA to help fortify a pitching staff still reeling from injury-related strain.

One wouldn’t blame Assad for also having some issues with his demotions. However, the realities of the Cubs’ roster continue to make the pitcher a fall guy for Cubs’ pitching depth considerations. Assad is one of the few pitchers currently on staff with minor league options. Optioning other pitchers would result in the Cubs losing them.

“Look, the way Javy’s pitched definitely doesn’t warrant going to the minor leagues,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell explained on Friday. “The other decisions mean we lose the pitcher forever.”

A bitter pill to swallow

This is surely a bitter pill to swallow for a pitcher who is, in a lot of ways, delivering the best work of his career. Counsell is hoping, though, that Assad—as well as any other player—takes the moves with the greater understanding that this is all in the name of winning as a team.

“Giving the players the direct information — whether it’s good news, bad news — has always been the most effective way for me,” Counsell said. “They know how I’m thinking, how the team is thinking, and then they get to choose their response. The vast majority of players want to do the right thing…

You don’t always get the exact news that you’re going to want to get. They’re used to that. If you get to this place, you’ve experienced that. You’ve gone through it. You’ve overcome it. It’s part of being a good competitor. It’s part of being a professional athlete.”

In Assad’s specific case, keeping him as an ace in the hole is a way of preserving a sharp arm who can fill any number of roles as the Cubs work towards a deep playoff run and a shot at a World Series appearance.

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