The Cubs have turned to flea market aspect of the waiver wire to fill widening gaps in its major league roster.
The Cubs claimed outfielder Julio Borbon off waivers from Rangers. To make room for Borbon, the Cubs designated back up infielder Alberto Gonzalez for assignment. Gonzalez batted .217 in 11 games for the Cubs.
Borbon,
27, is a career .283 hitter who spent parts of four seasons with the
Rangers. He was designated for assignment on April 9 and the Rangers had
10 days to try to trade him.
Borbon made the Rangers after batting .317 in 32 games in spring training. But he he wound up in third position in center field depth chart. Borbon, who was selected by Texas in the supplemental
first round (35th overall) of the 2007 June draft, played in just one
game for the Rangers this season.
Borbon, 27, is a left handed hitter who has not played in the majors in 2012. In 2011, he played in only 32 games for the Rangers, hitting .270, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 6 SB in 89 AB. He spent all of 2012 in the minors at Triple A. In 2010, he played in 137 games for the Rangers and had 468 PA, batting .276, 3 HR 42 RBI, 15 SB, .309 OBP.
The Cubs are now carrying mostly outfielders: Soriano, DeJesus, Schierholtz, Hairston, Sappelt and now Borbon. Unless Soriano has nagging knee issues, one could expect Sappelt to be moved if and when Ian Stewart ever comes back.
This also means that the Cubs did not look for Brett Jackson to help the club any time soon. Jackson's stock continues to fall under new management.
