In late December, the Chicago Cubs made a fairly head-scratching transfer by sending Matt Mervis, who was their No. 7 prospect as just lately as 2023, to the Miami Marlins for Vidal Brujan.
Mervis remained a top-30 prospect for the Cubs in 2024, however after one down yr and two failed stints on the main league stage, the Cubs seemingly threw within the towel.
Mervis had loved loads of success within the minor leagues over the 2 seasons earlier than 2024, hitting .309 with 36 house runs in 2022. However with Michael Busch at Mervis’ major place of first base and Seiya Suzuki at DH, there wasn’t a spot for him on the diamond.
In that exact side, the commerce is smart. Brujan is a versatile defender who can play each infield and outfield positions. Nevertheless, Brujan’s monitor document is fairly regarding. Having earned the rank of MLB’s No. 50 prospect in 2021, Brujan’s viability as a significant league hitter rapidly turned questionable. From 2021 to 2024, Brujan accrued 497 main league at-bats through which he posted a .189 common with two house runs.
In equity to Brujan, he may nonetheless be the star expertise he was as soon as projected to develop into, however the Cubs took a large danger in buying and selling for him. This season, he’s out of minor league choices. If at any level he ought to be faraway from the roster, maybe to make room for Matt Shaw’s return, he would have to be designated for task.
Buying and selling Mervis for a participant whom the Cubs supposed to make use of as a backup utility participant was additionally puzzling, however whatever the dangers, it appears the Cubs are already shedding the commerce.
Having struggled by means of spring coaching and spent a short interval on the IL, Brujan has returned and seen motion in three video games, totaling three at-bats. He’s 1-for-3 with a double.
Mervis, however, has seen semi-regular motion with the Marlins. In 56 at-bats, Mervis is slashing .232/.323/.589 with six house runs. Already, we’re catching a glimpse of Mervis’ energy potential beginning to play within the main leagues.
Looking back, taking a large danger on Brujan might need been ill-advised. Previous to Opening Day, the Cubs wanted at the very least yet another high quality starter. The season-ending harm to Justin Steele has solely exacerbated this concern. It seems Mervis would have served the Cubs higher as part of a commerce package deal for a pitcher fairly than flipping him for a dangerous backup infielder.
For now, we will solely conclude that Miami gained this commerce.
