Gordon Wittenmyer just tweeted that Jeff Baker has been traded, and more moves are coming. There’s one of your Jackson/Vitters roster moves. I’ll update this post as more comes along.
Baker, a free agent after this season, is a guy I targeted late last week as a possible August trade, thanks to his versatility and value off the bench. I wouldn’t expect the Cubs to get much for him, but a low-level, modestly intriguing (though not “exciting”) prospect is conceivable.
UPDATE: Baker is going to the Tigers for two Players to Be Named Later. As you know, PTBNLs are generally not top prospects, but they aren’t always scrubs. The fact that the Cubs are getting two PTBNLs, however, suggests that neither is particularly outstanding. On the balance, given Baker’s value, though, I would be surprised if the players are completely forgettable when we finally learn their identity (PTBNLs can be named up to six months after the trade, though, in this case, I’d expect it to come soon after the minor league seasons end).
UPDATE 2: Baker had a nice run with the Cubs. Originally acquired from the Rockies in the hopes that he could emerge as a starter at second base, Baker fell into a solid, inexpensive utility role. I hope he does well with the Tigers.