Orioles Designate Emmanuel Rivera for Assignment; Cubs Should Inquire ASAP

[Matthew Trueblood]

Let's be honest here. Maybe Vidal Bruján is a trifle more broadly talented than Emmanuel Rivera, but in practice, he's a worse player—especially for the current Chicago Cubs. The Cubs need a righty batter who can occasionally work their way on base without being deployed as a pinch-runner, and one who can capably handle the hot corner with the glove. Much though all Cubs fans wish that either Bruján or Jon Berti met those descriptions, right now, they don't.

Emmanuel Rivera does, though. Rivera, who turns 29 at the end of this month, has hit just .232/.302/.275 for the Orioles this season, so it's hard to fault them for designating him for assignment. However, that's against a career line of .243/.306/.363—no star slugger's line, but a fine one for a solid defensive infielder off the bench. That's precisely what Rivera is. He's been worth 5 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) even in very limited action for the Orioles at third this year. He can also play some first base. Against lefties, he's a career .254/.318/.381 hitter, much better than what Bruján can offer as a backup to Matt Shaw at third base.

Rivera is a good floor to reset for third base. The Cubs should be able to acquire him for cash, and if the front office is smart, they'll place a quick call to Mike Elias in the wake of this news.

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[Transmogrified Tiger]

We already tried this with Nicky Lopez, who had the added benefit of hitting left handed.  Don't see a whole lot of benefit in shuffling out Brujan in favor of another RHH who is 3rd, maybe 4th in the pecking order to play at 3B?

[Post Count Padder]

There's absolutely no power on the bench. A guy with a career SLG around .360 isn't the answer. We don't need an another speed guy. 

I know he's well-liked but I think it's soon time to cut ties with Turner and see if Jonathon Long is up for the task as a way of taking stock of the roster before the Deadline. If we're replacing Brujan it has to be a clear upgrade.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Post Count Padder said:

There's absolutely no power on the bench. A guy with a career SLG around .360 isn't the answer. We don't need an another speed guy. 

I know he's well-liked but I think it's soon time to cut ties with Turner and see if Jonathon Long is up for the task as a way of taking stock of the roster before the Deadline. If we're replacing Brujan it has to be a clear upgrade.

I wouldn’t hold you breathe waiting on the Cubs releasing Turner. I think he will be here all year.