If the Chicago Cubs miss the postseason at this juncture, you can expect the likes of David Ross and his coaching staff to receive the majority of the blame. Yes, the players play, but it's on the coaching staff to make necessary changes when the games matter most. Right now, Chicago is on the outside looking in at the NL Wild Card picture.
That is a relative surprise given Chicago was knocking on the Brewers door for the NL Central crown just a few weeks ago. Yet, an untimely losing streak could force the Cubs to make some tough decisions, even if they do make the playoffs.
Chicago's pitching staff ranks in the latter half of the league, while their offense has struggled with runners in scoring position of late. Something has to be done to right the ship.
Chicago Cubs playing their way off the roster: Miles Mastrobuoni
It's not necessarily Mastrobuoni's fault that he won't be in Chicago's postseason plans, as he has just two at-bats in his last seven games. Clearly, the Cubs don't value what he brings to the plate, or in the field, meaning he'll likely be replaced if Chicago is lucky enough to sneak into one of the final three NL Wild Card spots.
Mastrobuoni can offer speed on the basepaths, as he was a perfect 10-for-10 on stolen bases in his first stint with the Cubs this season. As a pinch runner, perhaps there is some value in having the 27-year-old on the roster.
However, the issue for Mastrobuoni will be receiving opportunities. He is third or fourth on the Chicago depth chart at three different infield positions, including shortstop, second base and third base. Should Chicago receive some fresh legs in the form of Jeimer Candelario's eventual return from injury, for example, it would be Mastrobuoni who is sent packing.
Chicago Cubs playing their way off the roster: Daniel Palencia
Palencia offers a young right-handed arm out of the bullpen, and the Cubs need pitching. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right? Perhaps not.
Chicago plans on giving Marcus Stroman a chance to pitch out of the bullpen to end this season, and perhaps in the playoffs should they make it. Stroman is a capable ace and one of the better pitchers in baseball at his best. If he can make that transition, then it'll leave one of Chicago's middle relievers without a spot in the bullpen.
That could very well be Palencia, who has struggled of late. In his last 15 games, Palencia has an ERA of 5.28. That doesn't sound like someone the Cubs can count on. Palencia was optioned to Triple-A when Stroman was activated off the injured list, but quickly recalled just a few days later thanks toi Michael Fulmer's injury. It goes to show that his spot on the roster is far from guaranteed.
Chicago Cubs playing their way off the roster: Jameson Taillon
Chicago's starting rotation is in flux at the end of the season. With Stroman coming back and pitching out of the bullpen, that eliminates one potential option -- or perhaps could re-open that door down the line if he's successful in his transition.
Jameson Taillon could be the odd man out in Chicago's postseason rotation. Taillon has an ERA over five in his last seven games, and has an 0-4 record. The Cubs are expected to pitch Kyle Hendricks and Justin Steele in a Wild Card series, should they make it. An opener involving Stroman, or perhaps Jordan Wicks, makes a lot of sense as a potential third start. Where does that leave Taillon?
Chicago skipped Taillon's turn through the rotation this week, showing that they can ill-afford a bad start this time of the year. Just a couple of weeks ago, Cubbies Crib's Jordan Campbell showcased Chicago's Taillon problem:
"There was a stretch during July and the beginning of August where Taillon appeared to have turned the corner from his struggles to start the season but his past four starts have been a disaster...Jordan Wicks is among the homegrown pitchers that the Cubs will be leaning on during the final month of the season but the lack of veteran stability from Taillon could be what leads to the team coming up short in terms of winning the division."
Now, the Cubs pitching issues could actually eliminate them from the postseason altogether.