It's a revolving door! Just when you thought you had the Chicago Cubs' roster figured out, they pull a surprise. Infielder Benjamin Cowles, after a brief stint with the crosstown rival White Sox, is back in the Cubbie blue. But is this a strategic move, or simply shuffling the deck chairs? Let's dive in.
The Cubs have claimed the 25-year-old Cowles off waivers, bringing their 40-man roster back to a full 40. This means any further additions will require some roster gymnastics – think trades, releases, or perhaps even some creative maneuvering. But here's where it gets interesting... Why bring back a player they let go of just a few months ago?
Cowles' journey is a bit of a rollercoaster. He initially arrived as part of the return package in the Mark Leiter Jr. trade at the 2024 deadline, along with reliever Jack Neely. After struggling at Triple-A Iowa in 2025, he was removed from the 40-man roster in September, opening the door for the White Sox to snatch him up. Now, the tables have turned, and Cowles finds himself back on the North Side. What changed?
For the time being, Cowles projects as additional utility infield depth at Triple-A Iowa. He'll be joining a relatively crowded field that includes names like James Triantos, Pedro Ramirez, Scott Kingery, Hayden Cantrelle, Ed Howard, and Devin Ortiz. That's a lot of competition! While this group offers more volume than guaranteed impact, there are certainly big league aspirations for prospects like Triantos and Ramirez, who the Cubs recently added to their 40-man roster. And this is the part most people miss: having depth like Cowles could be a crucial safety net. If the Cubs were to trade away infield prospects like Matt Shaw, having readily available, experienced players in Triple-A becomes even more important.
Cowles' value lies primarily in his defensive versatility. He's a solid defender capable of playing multiple infield positions, meaning he doesn't necessarily need to be a star hitter to contribute. However, to date, he hasn't quite found his groove at the Triple-A level, let alone in the Major Leagues. So, what is the Cubs' long-term vision for him?
All that said, there's a distinct possibility that the Cubs might try to sneak Cowles through waivers later this offseason, with the intention of outrighting him to Iowa. This would allow them to keep him within the organization without occupying a valuable spot on the 40-man roster. It's a common strategy, but one that always carries the risk of another team claiming him.
Controversy & Comment Hooks: Could this move also be a subtle message to other infield prospects, pushing them to perform at a higher level? Or is it simply a low-risk gamble on a player they already know? Some might argue that the Cubs should be focusing on developing their top prospects rather than bringing back players who haven't proven themselves. Others might see the value in having experienced depth ready to step in if needed. What do you think? Is bringing Cowles back a smart move by the Cubs, or a sign that they're not entirely confident in their current infield depth? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
