AOnly months ago, Gage Workman was living his dream, calling himself “super-excited” after being selected by the Chicago Cubs. Joining a historic franchise felt unbelievable–a massive opportunity snatched in the intriguing Rule 5 Draft. But baseball dreams can shift quickly. That buzz soon gave way to a hard reality on the North Side. Now, after a surprising crosstown trade, Cubs manager Craig Counsell is revealing more about the difficult situation surrounding the talented young infielder’s brief, rocky time in Cubbie blue.
The Cubs selected Workman in the December 2024 Rule 5 Draft from the Detroit Tigers. He impressed many with a stellar spring performance and claimed a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old debuted on March 29. However, regular season action proved difficult; Workman hit only .214 in 14 at-bats over nine games. More critically, he made three errors at third base, two of them costly against the Dodgers on April 22. The following day, the Cubs designated him for assignment, and on April 26, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for cash.
As Counsell addressed the move after the announcement, he provided some insight into the tough decision. “I think Gage was in a spot where he was in a tough spot,” Counsell stated bluntly, as per Marquee Sports Network. “I think Rule 5 picks are always in a tough spot, especially on this team.” The Cubs skipper acknowledged the difficulty for a developing player on a contending club. “You could say he did not get the appropriate opportunity,” Counsell admitted. “We just couldn’t… give him that opportunity.” He described it as a difficult but potentially useful lesson for Workman’s development down the line.
Craig Counsell speaks on the Cubs trading Rule 5 pick Gage Workman to the White Sox. pic.twitter.com/obToNIhOu8
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 26, 2025
Workman certainly deserved his first shot after a scorching spring in Arizona. He led the Cubs in several offensive categories in Cactus League play, hitting .364 with four home runs and driving in 15 runs across 44 at-bats. His impressive 1.125 OPS showcased the power and potential the Cubs saw. Counsell lauded Workman’s maturity, noting he handled the high-pressure Rule 5 situation well. His performance made him look like a “functional piece” heading into the season’s start.
That roster context, however, proved crucial in the final decision. The Cubs entered the season aiming for the playoffs and currently sit atop the NL Central. They must get consistent production and reliable defense from every one of the 26 players on the roster. With veterans Justin Turner and Jon Berti available and the recent acquisition of Nicky Lopez, there was pretty much no way to give regular playing time to a struggling rookie like Workman. The team simply couldn’t afford extended on-the-job training under the restrictive Rule 5 rules.
Tale of two cities: Cubs’ hopes vs. White Sox’s future
Workman’s journey to this point showed steady progress before hitting the big-league wall. He was initially selected by Milwaukee straight out of high school and became a star at Arizona State University. Drafted by the Tigers in 2020, he ascended the minor league ladder steadily, producing a strong 2024 season at Double-A Erie. There, he hit .280 with 18 homers, 89 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases. That performance made him an attractive Rule 5 target for teams like the Cubs last winter.
Now, Workman gets a fresh start across town with the White Sox. The South Siders are deep in a rebuild and can offer something the Cubs could not: time and opportunity. With infield spots potentially open due to Miguel Vargas‘ struggles and Josh Rojas‘ injury, Workman might find a real chance. Alongside players who have struggled mightily, like Luis Robert Jr. and Andrew Benintendi (currently injured), he could offer some much-needed versatility and potential power for the lineup.
This crosstown swap highlights the vastly different situations facing Chicago’s two baseball teams right now. The Cubs (17-10) are in a fight for first place with high hopes. The White Sox (6-20) own one of baseball’s worst records and are focused on future talent. Trading a player like Workman, who needs development, from a contender to a rebuilder, makes perfect sense strategically for both clubs. It also adds a little extra spice to the historic city rivalry for fans to follow.
But the question remains: Will Workman flourish with the opportunity on the South Side?
The post “He Was in a Tough Spot” – Cubs’ Craig Counsell Breaks Silence After Shocking Trade of 25YO Star With White Sox appeared first on EssentiallySports.