The Cubs front office signs lanky, non-power hitting outfielders like fanboys whom collect plastic Marvel figurines.
The latest example is the Cubs claim on Yankee prospect Thomas Neal.
The Cubs claimed outfielder Neal, 25, off waivers from the New York Yankees. Neal batted .325 with 17 doubles, 29 RBIs and a .391 on-base
percentage in 72 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Neal had two
brief call-ups with the Yankees. He hit only .182 in 11 at-bats.
To make room for Neal on the 40-man roster, pitcher Rafael Dolis was
transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Dolis has been on the DL since
June 1 because of a right forearm strain.
Neal began his career in the San Francisco Giants' organization and
was a Class-A California League All-Star in 2009 and Double-A Eastern
League mid-season All-Star in 2010. He was dealt to Cleveland midway
through the 2011 season for infielder Orlando Cabrera. Neal made his major league debut with the Indians on Sept. 1 and batted .217 with one double and two RBIs in 23 at-bats.
The Cubs cut Julio Borbon after a base running blunder. The team is now shuffling AAA players like Logan Watkins and Donnie Murphy to the major league roster just to see if the Junior Lake magic is transferable like a virus. One must expect that Neal is another placeholder to run out the rest of the season as insurance in case the Cubs can trade a valuable outfielder like DeJesus or Schierholtz to a contender who lost a player to the Biogenesis suspensions (think, Texas Rangers).
