The Chicago Cubs gave Moises Ballesteros an opportunity to show what he has at the big league level for a bit in May.
Appearing in 16 at-bats, the young catcher didn't do much, hitting .188 with three RBIs. It was a tough way to evaluate him, as there likely wasn’t much that he could’ve done differently, given it was only a few games, but the Cubs decided to send him back to Triple-A Iowa, and he's continued to tear the cover off the ball.
Ballesteros is hitting at .327 with eight home runs, 44 RBIs, and just 40 strikeouts in 266 at-bats.
With the Cubs looking to improve at the deadline, some have suggested that Ballesteros won't be traded. However, when looking at players who could be dealt, Northside Baseball recently named him as one of the players the Cubs could look to trade.
“I don't think it's over 50% that they deal Ballesteros, but I think it's more likely than people might think, as well. The reality on Ballesteros is that his defensive value makes you question what his ceiling is, and how the Cubs view his defensive production and value will factor in.
“If the Cubs believe Ballesteros can start 75 games (or so) behind the dish at the MLB level, then he's probably too good to trade—barring an elite player with some team control attached. His contact ability, combined with his 20-homer power and approach, could make him a star at the position, even if he's only there half of the time. However, if you're unconvinced of the progress there, and he's likely a DH? Well, that changes the math,” they wrote.
Moving on from him has its benefits, but only if the Cubs get the package they're looking for.
If they don't try to trade him for a star-caliber pitcher, or a piece that will clearly help them win now and in the future, it's probably better to hold off.
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