DeWitt, Reed, Baker, Mather, Clevenger. Names that may inspire a night at the bottom of the bottle if they're in your team's starting lineup. But if they're available off your bench? Not that terrible, especially when considering the reinforcements (Rizzo, Jackson, Castillo, Sappelt) that will likely push them off the roster by the end of the summer.
Below are summaries on what each of the current bench players brings to the roster and who is pushing for their job in the upper reaches of the system.
Backup Catcher - Steve Clevenger - To be honest, I don't know much about the guy. He hasn't spent a full season at Iowa and was thought to be stuck behind entrenched front-runner Welington Castillo until besting Castillo this spring. He seems to be able to get on base frequently (.361 OBP over the last three seasons in Tennessee and Iowa) with the ability to both hit for contact and draw walks (walked on 10% of plate appearances last season). He's also a lefty that will be able to Per Baseball America, Tennessee (AA) manager Brian Harper (a former big league catcher) called Clevenger one of the best receivers he has ever seen. He's also shown versatility in playing both the corner outfield spots as well as second in the minors. Overall, I think he's a placeholder while Castillo gets regular at-bats in Iowa. However, I think he provides a solid future backup option should Castillo or Soto leave the organization over the next few seasons. Role: 150 plate appearances, improvements both offensively and defensively versus Koyie Hill, a couple of Henry Blanco-esque game-winning hits
Utility Infielder - Jeff Baker - Baker is a much-discussed asset each year at the trade deadline and for good reason - he can play five positions (3, 4, 5, 7, 9), hits for near-league average OPS+ with inconsistent playing time (career 94 OPS+ with never more than 333 PA in a season), and never seems to be unhappy with his limited role. While he still strikes out way too often (46 times in 212 PA last year), he'll continue to give the Cubs options for Darwin Barney and Ian Stewart off-days and up his potential trade value to a contender before the deadline. Role: 225 plate appearances, occasional starts at second, eventual trade bait to contender
Utility Infielder - Blake DeWitt - Cut by the Cubs this offseason and resigned to a minor-league deal, DeWitt played well enough this spring to earn a spot at the back of the roster with his play subbing for the still-injured Bryan LaHair at 1B. He actually played the majority of his games last year in left field, while also seeing time at second and third. A former Dodgers top prospect, DeWitt initially provided decent returns in Los Angeles (.264 / .344 / .383 line at age 22) before dropping off significantly over the past three seasons. He showed the best pop of his career last year (.718 OPS) and gives the Cubs defensive versatility for a late-inning pinch hit option off the bench. I was originally optimistic about Adrian Cardenas' chances at making the big league roster over DeWitt, but I think DeWitt provides the same versatility and significant major league experience vs. Cardenas who has only played up to the AAA-level. Role: 175 plate appearances, backup to LaHair at first, possible demotion should Cardenas or another Iowa player impress at the plate
Utility Outfielder - Reed Johnson - At 34 last year, Johnson showed value down the stretch while nearing career highs at the plate (.309 / .348 / ..467). He can play all three outfield spots at replacement-level and can make some outstanding plays even as he hits his mid-thirties (see above). He'll give the Cubs a passable backup option for Soriano and Byrd early on and bring Brett Jackson under his tutelage once The Dreamboat is brought up from Iowa. Role: 225 plate appearances, occasional starts in LF, possible trade option in July if he can repeat his 2011 line
Utility Outfielder - Joe Mather - Probably the position player on this 25-man roster with whom Cubs fans are least familiar, Mather is a strong defender with a big arm in right or center that sustained a Spring Training hot streak long enough to keep The Little Campana That Could back in Iowa. His bat (.228 career MLB average) likely won't merit many pinch hit appearances over the other options mentioned above, but he can provide defense at all three outfield spots and also cover the corner outfield spots if needed. We'll likely see Mather up and down between Triple-A and Wrigley throughout the season as options such as Jackson, Campana and Dave Sappelt get their shots on the North Side. Role: 100 plate appearances, provide "organizational depth" at Iowa
The Four-Part Cubs Season Preview
Part IV - Bench
Grab some bench
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