Epstein-Hoyer have gambled away two young prospects for an underwhelming, underperforming injury excused third baseman to replace one-tool player, Aramis Ramirez.
Ian Stewart had been packaged after the trade as just as good as Ramirez: he can regain his (inflated Coors Field) power; and that he is a better defenseman; and he bats left handed. Except, of course, his bat may not come back to his early career numbers, his defense is actually on par with Ramirez (not great) and being left handed in Wrigley is not an advantage.
If Stewart fails like the long line of garbage third baseman after Santo to Madlock then after Madlock back to Ramirez, what is Plan B?
The Cub infield roster currently stands like this:
Ian Stewart, 3b
Jeff Baker, 1b, 2b, 3b, of
Darwin Barney, 2b, ss
Starlin Castro, ss
Blake DeWitt, 2b, 3b, of
Bryan LaHair, 1b, of
Junior Lake, 2b, ss, 3b (minors)
Anthony Rizzo, 1b (minors)
Josh Vitters, 3b, 1b (minors)
For 2012, the Cubs will have to make do with DeWitt and Baker as back up third basemen.
Baker, played in 81 games in 2011 with a line of 3 HR, 23 RBI, .269 BA, .302 OBP, 0 SB.
He played 11 games at third, handling 10 chances (4 put outs, 6 assists) for 1.000 fielding %.
However, his career average at third is only .943 fielding %.
DeWitt played in 121 games in 2011 with a line of 5 HR, 26 RBI, .265 BA, .305 OBP, 1 SB.
DeWitt played 14 games at third in 2011, having 33 chances with 5 errors with a low .853 fielding %.
However, over his career, DeWitt's third base fielding % is .943, the same as Baker's.
Essentially, Baker and DeWitt are the same player taking up two roster spots on the Cubs.
Junior Lake is essentially a young (21 year old) shortstop who may be tested in the minors at second and third base because in 2011 at A+/AA he hit 12 HR, 51 RBI, .279 BA, .316 OBP, 6 SB.
Josh Vitters is the perennial third base prospect. Vitters, 22, at AA hit 14 HR, 80 RBI, .283 BA, .322 OBP, 4 SB. His fielding percentage at third last season was only .903. In five minor league seasons, his third base fielding percentage is a weak .905.
So Stewart has replaced Ramirez as the everyday starter at third, but the Cubs have not addressed the lack of depth at third base. The idea of moving Castro to third when he gets older smacks of desperation and the lack of development in your minor league system.
