Cubs trade for PIT minor league Outfielder

[Rex Buckingham]

Is this a precursor to them moving an MLB Outfielder and calling someone up? Did Canario tear his hammy and they wanted depth? Who knows!

[PackLandVA]

And you all said the Cubs would be "sellers". Bah!

[Post Count Padder]

Interesting pick up. He's been in the majors before, is hitting fine in AAA and was a top 10 prospect in the Twins system a couple years ago. Does make you wonder if there's a trade coming soon or if Canario is hurt and they didn't want to roster any of the other Iowa guys.

[Bertz]

This is *probably* just about Canario.  Bellinger's likely back as a DH this weekend, but still a little further out as an OF.  So as is they're two injuries removed from Mastrobuoni or Wisdom being forced into OF duty.  Better safe than sorry, and there's no cost.

HOWEVER.  They also just signed Trayce Thompson for Iowa, who would be a clearly superior MLB option.  Are we really worried about 3 outfield injuries happening in the 10 days before Bellinger is healthy?  And in that highly unlikely scenario you can't just call up Owen Caissie a little early (he has to be added to the 40 this winter anyway).  And I question if this is just about making sure Iowa can fill out a lineup card since Franklin and Triantos are clearly ready for AAA and Alcantara doesn't seem super far off.

[squally1313]

3 hours ago, Bertz said:

This is *probably* just about Canario.  Bellinger's likely back as a DH this weekend, but still a little further out as an OF.  So as is they're two injuries removed from Mastrobuoni or Wisdom being forced into OF duty.  Better safe than sorry, and there's no cost.

HOWEVER.  They also just signed Trayce Thompson for Iowa, who would be a clearly superior MLB option.  Are we really worried about 3 outfield injuries happening in the 10 days before Bellinger is healthy?  And in that highly unlikely scenario you can't just call up Owen Caissie a little early (he has to be added to the 40 this winter anyway).  And I question if this is just about making sure Iowa can fill out a lineup card since Franklin and Triantos are clearly ready for AAA and Alcantara doesn't seem super far off.

I'm guessing there's some dumb rule in place that would make it suboptimal, service time wise, to call up Alcantara. But if not....just pull the trigger there. Got to make a decision on him eventually, and I don't know how you're going to carve out MLB PAs for him next year. Probably not super fair to him, but I don't think his value takes a hit if he struggles because he's still young and obviously skipping a stop.