SAN DIEGO _ Naturally, Matt Szczur was thrilled to have a part, however compartmentalized, in the Cubs ending their 108-year World Series drought. Of course, the 27-year-old outfielder never made it onto any of their postseason rosters so news that Chicago was designating him for assignment brought a smile to his face.
Perhaps a more substantial role was awaiting him ... somewhere.
"I loved being with the Cubs, but I knew I needed to get out," Szczur said after arriving Tuesday morning from Chicago. "My first reaction was I was happy to be honest. I was excited. I wasn't playing very much. I loved the guys. They were awesome, but for my career, this is where I needed to be."
Indeed, playing time in Chicago proved a rare occurrence.
Jason Heyward is being paid $28 million to roam right field when healthy. They're committed long-term to Kyle Schwarber in left. The Cubs brought in veteran Jon Jay to play all three spots. Infielders Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist even bounce out there on occasion.
That's left just 23 plate appearances for the right-handed Szczur over 15 games despite making the team's Opening Day roster. A year after fashioning a .259/.312/.400 batting line over a career-high 200 plate appearances, Szczur was just 4-for-19 with a double, three RBIs, two walks and four strikeouts in limited duty before the Padres acquired him Monday for minor leaguer Justin Hancock.
"I know I'll have an opportunity to play at least more than I was doing in Chicago," Szczur said. "That's the plus side."
A fifth-round draft pick in 2010 out of Villanova _ where he played baseball and football _ Szczur hit as many as 10 homers in 109 games at two A-ball stops in 2011. He swiped a career-high 42 bases in 113 games the next year while advancing to Double A and is a career .281/.346/.386 hitter across parts of seven minor league seasons.
Nevertheless, the Cubs advancing their rebuild efforts never led to much of an opportunity to stretch his legs in the majors. In San Diego, he'll get the opportunity to do just that in all three outfield spots while providing experience to a position player group short on veterans outside shortstop Erick Aybar (33) and first baseman Wil Myers (26).
Szczur is excited to do both _ in his way.
"I'm not really a spoken leader," Szczur said. "I try to lead by example. I would try to lead by hustling, by making plays. That, for me, would be the best thing I can do."
