Chicago Cubs rumors: 3 players who won’t be on the roster by June 1

Cubs Rumors: Chicago has no use for Eric Hosmer

Eric Hosmer’s mentorship role for Matt Mervis could keep him around in Chicago longer than expected. However, given the Cubs already have a team leader in ‘The Sheriff’ Dansby Swanson, as well as several other veterans who could take the reins, is keeping Hosmer around all that necessary?

Hosmer slots in as a third-string first baseman and a backup designated hitter these days. Sure, he can get a few at-bats off the bench, but his slash line suggests he’s lost a step. Mervis has relied a lot on Hosmer these early days in the bigs, but eventually the Cubs can take the training wheels off.

“I think Matty’s a guy that the whole league’s aware about,” Hosmer said, per Marquee. “It takes a lot of good communication from [manager David Ross] and Jed [Hoyer] and all those guys. It’s not something that’s just completely out of the dark, it’s something I knew before signing here. I understand what my role is and I’m ready to do that and just do whatever I can to help the team win.”

Give Hosmer credit, he’s pulling out all the stops. However, Chicago fans are smart enough to realize that he doesn’t bring much actual value to the team. If Hosmer really wants to play the role of clubhouse leader, then perhaps he should retire and come on as a bench coach?

No, what the Cubs need is timely hitting, and players who can deliver with runners in scoring position. That’s what this team has been lacking, and Hosmer’s pep talks surely aren’t going to drive in runs.