The Cubs traded Welington Castillo to the Mariners Tuesday and immediately called up seven catchers to replace him on the big league roster.
“You can never have enough catchers,” said team president Theo Epstein. “People thought we were crazy for carrying three so far this season. Wait until we have nine.”
In doing so, the Cubs sent down three relievers and three backup position players.
“We like to look at this as an opportunity,” said manager Joe Maddon, in his normal Zen-like state. “David Ross is capable of pitching the occasional inning of relief and apparently Miggy [Miguel Montero] used to play a little first base in Little League. Lots of versatility here.”
Catcher Kyle Schwarber — called-up from Double-A Boise — has played eight games at DH this year. Maddon is not worried that the position does not exist in the National League.
“We can still DH Schwarbs,” said Maddon, “Sure, it’ll mean we only have two outfielders or three infielders, but when most of your roster is squatty and slow-moving what’s it matter how many you have in the field? The new anchor of our bullpen David Ross just better strike out every batter he faces.”
