Chicago Cubs trade of Emilio Bonifacio trade won’t change plans for Javier Baez
The Chicago Cubs traded second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and James Russell to the Atlanta Braves before the non-waiver trade deadline on Thursday and speculation immediately began to swirl in Chicago that one of the Cubs top prospects could be on the way to the big leagues.
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Javier Baez is a part of the trio of Cubs prospects who rank among the top 10 in all of the minor leagues depending on which publication you look at and after transitioning from shortstop to second base earlier this month, Baez has been rumored as a potential call-up.
In the last week the Cubs have shipped former Gold Glove second baseman Darwin Barney and now Bonifacio, but the plans for Baez remain unchanged, according to Cubs beat writer, Patrick Mooney from Comcast Sportsnet Chicago.
Cubs GM Hoyer says Bonifacio trade doesn't change timetable for Javier Baez.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) July 31, 2014
Baez may still get a promotion this season, but it won’t be as a result of the trade of Barney or Bonifacio. The Cubs have been patient in the past with some of their top bats, namely Anthony Rizzo a few years ago who was dominating in the minor leagues while the Cubs languished at the plate.
The likely scenario to play out will be Arismendy Alcantara playing every day at second base and settling in there after playing some at center field earlier this month.
Baez will be in a Cubs uniform and hitting home runs out of Wrigley Field very soon, it just won’t be as soon as some have speculated.