Nicky Lopez was removed from the Cubs’ roster after being DFA’d to create a spot for Kevin Alcantara. Lopez cleared waivers and elected free agency after being outrighted. He quickly found a new team with the Texas Rangers. Lopez is valued for running the bases well and for providing solid defense at multiple positions, giving him fringe value for many rosters. The Cubs had not used him in games since May 9, making his continued presence less practical. The Cubs’ roster decisions also involved bringing up Alcantara, and the Rangers’ move that opened a spot for Lopez is connected to the Cubs’ potential preference for a veteran bench option.
"Lopez, because he runs the bases well and can offer a solid glove pretty much anywhere, is always going to have fringe value to SOME roster out there. For the Cubs, it kinda stopped making sense a long time ago - he last appeared in a game with the Cubs on May 9(!)."
"Anyway, that is all an intro to the fact that, after Lopez was DFA'd the next day to open up a spot for Kevin Alcantara, he ultimately cleared waivers and elected free agency when he was outrighted by the Cubs. It didn't take long for him to find a new home:"
"An interesting interrelated item here: the Cubs lost Lopez when they brought up Alcantara, who was brought up to be a right-handed-hitting outfielder who makes only rare appearances off the bench. If the Cubs were to decide that isn't the best for his development, but wanted to replace him with a veteran equivalent ... how about the guy the Rangers just ditched to pick up Lopez?"
"Now, Andrew McCutchen is obviously not the guy he once was, but in a role that would see him appear off the bench so rarely? With his veteran presence and all that experience and knowledge and fun he could bring to a cl"
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