When the Cubs traded James Russell and Emilo Bonafacio to the Braves, one would have hoped the package would return a major league ready player. You know, trading two players on your active roster should bring something back, right?
Russell and Bonifacio traded for a 20 year old Class A catcher named Victor Caratini, my immediate thought is that the Cubs really don't want to win very soon.
Look at the trades made and the return:
Samardzija for Russell (AA), not coming to majors until 2015-16.
Hammel for McKinney (A), not coming to the majors until 2016-18.
Straily (AAA) may not be a replacement level starter in 2015.
Russell and Bonifacio for Caratini (A), not coming to majors if at all until 2018-2019.
Barney for J. Martinez (A), not coming to the majors if at all until 2018-2019.
PTBNL for Doubrount, who may pitch in #5 starter rotation mix in 2014 or 2015.
So the Cubs traded five players on the major league roster for
one (1) pitcher who was demoted to the bullpen;
one (1) pitcher who was demoted to AAA; and
four (4) prospects with various degrees of hype.
