The Chicago Cubs’ versatile leadoff hitter was expected to draw interest at the deadline if he could show he was over his oblique strain, and it very much sounds like that’s what is now happening for Emilio Bonifacio.
Multiple reports indicate a deal is close:
Source: #Cubs expected to trade Bonifacio very soon.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 30, 2014
And Bonifacio deal getting close. Not sure where yet RT @JimBowdenESPNxm: Felix Duobront traded to Cubs for PTBNL #confirmed
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 30, 2014
Teams closing in on Bonifacio are Kansas City San Francisco , Baltimore and Seattle .
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) July 30, 2014
Bonifacio not in Cub lineup tonight . Baltimore -Giants -Reds mentioned by source. Moments ago
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) July 30, 2014
Although Bonifacio will not net a top prospect, as a super utility player on a playoff contender, he does have quite a bit of value. I would expect the Cubs to get something at least worth discussing. We’ll see how this shakes out.
UPDATE (2:50pm CT): I wouldn’t go this far, but hey, who knows:
Hearing #sfgiants have had a scout watching Cubs all week, but price on Bonifacio is very high. Free agent after the season.
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) July 30, 2014
I can see the Cubs getting something valuable for Bonifacio, yes. But when I hear “very high,” I’m picturing a top 5 organizational prospect (in an organization much worse than the Cubs’ farm system, at least). And it’s “very hard” to see the Cubs getting that much for Bonifacio.
UPDATE 2 (4:28pm CT): We already anticipated this, but to keep the updates flowing, and because it’s interesting:
Cubs haven't posted lineup yet. Holdup? Source says Bonifacio not in lineup.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) July 30, 2014
Bonifacio in the house but no lineup posted. Don't think he's in it but he's here
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) July 30, 2014
I wonder if there are roster considerations at play – i.e., if Cubs deal (officially) Bonifacio before the game tonight, they can make a roster move (adding a bullpen arm, for example) without having to muck anything else up.
UPDATE 3 (4:47pm CT): And Rick Renteria admits what’s up:
Renteria said he held Bonifacio out until the trading deadline shakes out .
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) July 30, 2014
UPDATE 4 (5:51pm CT): It won’t be the Orioles getting Bonifacio, but will it be the Royals?
Orioles are not in on Emilio Bonifacio. Hearing he is headed to the KC Royals. But def not Os.
— Dan Connolly (@danconnolly2016) July 30, 2014
I don’t think that’s quite as certain as Connolly makes it sound (if he was 100% certain it was the Royals, there’d be no need to add the second part). Instead, take it just as: guy with sources has heard Bonifacio might be going to the Royals. That’s not nothing.
UPDATE 5 (7:33pm CT): Just saw this informative and hilarious tweet from Andy McCullough:
Was told the Royals are not yet close to a deal for Emilio Bonifacio. That could change, especially if they make a deal for Emilio Bonifacio
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) July 30, 2014
Perhaps things got close, and then something changed, and thus no trade prior to the game.
UPDATE 6 (9:05pm CT): The Giants are already releasing Dan Uggla, which LOL-Darwin-Barney, but that’s also interesting because it could suggest that they’re ready to pick up a new second baseman. They’ve reportedly been interested in Bonifacio, perhaps even for the outfield, so the timing here makes sense. I guess we’ll find out.
UPDATE 7 (9:15pm CT): I guess I missed this during the live stream:
Sounds like E Bonifacio is on the move, but not to #sfgiants.
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) July 31, 2014
Round and round the Bonifacio rumor carousel goes, where it stops, nobody knows!