Chicago Cubs News: Kyle Schwarber needs to be demoted to bench
After struggling for the first two months of the Major League Baseball season, Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber needs to be demoted to the bench.
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon is stubborn to a fault at times.
Maddon’s stubbornness has been on display with Cubs’ starting left fielder Kyle Schwarber.
Schwarber has struggled this season. Schwarber is hitting .167/.292/.364 this season with 10 home runs and 25 RBIs. Despite Schwarber’s struggles, Maddon has stuck by his left fielder. Maddon has routinely kept Schwarber in the Cubs’ everyday lineup and has often allowed the struggling slugger to continue as the team’s leadoff hitter.
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It’s easy to understand why Maddon is being stubborn with Schwarber. Maddon does not want to destroy the confidence of the 24-year old outfielder. Maddon wants to keep Schwarber in the lineup with the hope that the former first-round draft selection can turn around his struggles. But, the time has come for Maddon to make a change. This not like last season when the Cubs could withstand the offensive struggles of right fielder Jason Heyward.
The Cubs’ offense has struggled as a whole this season. With the likes of Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell and Ben Zobrist not playing to their career averages, Schwarber’s struggles have taken center stage. There needs to be a change in order to ignite the Cubs’ offense and that change should be Schwarber being demoted to the bench.
Albert Almora and Ian Happ are all better options for Maddon to use in the outfield as opposed to Schwarber. If Schwarber was competent as a defender in the outfield, it would be a different story. But with Schwarber striking out more than he is making solid contact and struggling as a defender, there is no reason for him to be in the starting lineup.
Instead of Schwarber, Maddon should play Almora. Almora is hitting .270/.323/.391 on the season in 125 plate appearances. In addition to being an offensive upgrade over Schwarber this season, Almora would also be an ideal option in the leadoff spot considering his excellent baserunning ability. Not to mention, Almora is capable of being an elite defensive outfielder.
Next: Why is Kyle Schwarber batting leadoff again?
Maddon’s stubbornness is not an issue when the Cubs are playing up to their expectations. But with the Chicago Cubs struggling, Maddon needs to adjust his mentality, The first adjustment that needs to be made is Kyle Schwarber being removed from the starting lineup.