NEWSLETTER
As noted yesterday, Junior Lake has been called up to Chicago. This is an interesting move.
While the status of the 40 man roster and the fact that Lake is already on it no doubt played a role in this move, clearing a slot on the 40 man could be as easy as Hector Rondon finally coming down with his long-expected case of Rule-5-itis and being moved to the 60 man DL (assuming I’m counting correctly and he’d still get in enough service time should the Cubs make that move, that is). Had the Cubs wanted to move up someone else the roster would not necessarily have had to stand in the way.
That makes me think that they wanted Lake. Given that Lake is their best position prospect in Triple A right now that move makes a certain amount of sense. The problem is that Lake just started playing third base in a sustained way this season. There are some things a player can develop while sitting on the bench and watching in the majors, but the reactions and experience necessary to handle third base at a high level is not on that list. And given that Lake has only been playing in Iowa for a few weeks, he probably doesn’t need a breather on Chicago’s bench yet.
That suggests Lake is going to play fairly regularly. Where? Speculation has been outfield, but I suspect third base. And that implies a trade is very imminent.
If Darwin Barney is dealt, Luis Valbuena likely moves over to second base and Lake inherits third for (potentially) the rest of the season. Or if it is Valbuena in the deal, then Lake simply steps right in. And if both are dealt? Then we either see someone coming back in the deal to take over at second or Logan Watkins comes up to take over second base.
On the other hand, if no deal arrives then Lake has no obvious place to play every day. If the Cubs were looking for a pure bench guy, then I think Watkins made more sense. The only reason to call up Lake is to play him.
And so I am looking for a deal that includes either Valbuena or Barney in the very near future.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – Iowa rallied in the eighth to take the 6-3 win.
Tennessee – A five run eighth inning rally was not quite enough. The Smokies lost 7-6.
Daytona – The rain didn’t go away, so the game did. This one was postponed.
Kane County – And now the Cougars are 21 games under .500 on the season. They lost 3-2.
Boise – The Hawks used a seventh inning rally to take a 3-2 win.
Arizona – A run in the ninth carried the AZL Cubs to the 3-2 win.
Performances of Note
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