Joe Maddon means business for the Chicago Cubs now.
The MLB trade deadline has passed and we are now in August. Accordingly, Maddon says the time to play players for developmental purposes is over and “it’s big boy time” now.
Joe Maddon says the time has come and gone in the season to play guys for developmental purposes: “It’s big boy time.”
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) August 1, 2019
The Cubs have already sent struggling Addison Russell down to the minors. They acquired Tony Kemp from Houston and Nicholas Castellanos from Detroit in deadline trades. On Thursday, Kemp was starting at second base and Castellanos in right field against the Cardinals.
Albert Almora Jr. (25) and David Bote (26) are two of the younger players who are likely to see a reduction in playing time. 24-year-old Ian Happ may see the same fate. None of the three players have a batting average higher than .246 this season.
The Cubs and Cardinals entered Thursday’s game tied for the division lead. This is a big season for the Cubs, who are under immense pressure to perform.
