With Major League Baseball's opening day just a week away, the Chicago Cubs pared down their roster just a little bit more on Monday afternoon. Among the most notable names to get assigned to the minor league camp were Ian Happ and Eddie Butler. Happ's name sticks out not because it's a shock that the young infielder is going to get more time in the minors, but because he was having such a good spring. Butler had been competing for the Chicago Cubs starting rotation. When the final open spot was taken by Brett Anderson, it was only a matter of time before Butler was sent to the minors.
These Chicago Cubs cuts are the deepest
Despite being sent down to minor league camp, Ian Happ has spent Spring Training making Chicago Cubs fans dream about what will be one day. With the roster shrinking to 31 on Monday, there simply wasn't room for the powerful infielder on the roster just yet. There had been some talk the Cubs would trade Matt Sczur to make room for Happ but that didn't materialize.
Butler may have lost out on his spring contest, but he posted stats that were good enough that the former Colorado Rockies pitcher will likely be back with the big club at some point this season. He threw over 14 innings this spring (most on the club) and managed to post just a 0.95 WHIP. He also had a 2 to 1 ground ball to fly ball ratio.
Latest transactions show depth of the franchise
While Ian Happ and Eddie Butler might have been the biggest names sent down by the , all five players sent down could be making a return to the majors in the not too distant future. Along with Happ and Butler, outfielder John Andreoli, catcher Taylor Davis and pitcher Rob Zastryzny were sent to the minor leagues.
The talent these players have show just how deep the franchise is, especially compared to other Major League clubs.
Cubs cut roster to 31. Zastryzny, Butler optioned to AAA. 3 non-roster guys reassigned to MinLeague camp: Happ, Andreoli and Taylor Davis.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) March 27, 2017
The depth that can be found on the Cubs is just one of the reasons they're expected to be a contender for a repeat of their World Series championship. Chicago fans should be excited to see players of this caliber not being able to stick on the roster.
