1 Cubs player who deserves MLB roster promotion, 2 who should be sent to minors

This weekend, we're getting our first look at former top-100 prospect James Triantos, who was called up ahead of the series between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. He brings great defensive versatility and elite bat-to-ball skills to the table, which could allow for more flexibility for the roster.

Taking a step back and looking at the Cubs' roster, there are a couple of guys you can make the case against - and one waiting in the wings at Triple-A who's done all he can do to earn a call-up before the season's over.

Lack of playing time, return of Matt Shaw could force 2 Cubs off roster

Let's start with the obvious. If Triantos sticks around, he can handle outfield duties (along with Michael Conforto), there's no reason Justin Dean needs to be on the 26-man roster. A glove-first player with good speed, he entered the weekend with a total of eight plate appearances to his name this season.

An outfield mix of Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Conforto and Triantos more than covers your bases. Hopefully, coming out of the trade deadline, the roster feels more complete - Dean isn't someone the Cubs need to win right now and is an easy name to send down to Iowa.

The next choice is more controversial. Pedro Ramirez has been getting more at-bats lately, which has been nice to see, but once Matt Shaw returns (and if Triantos stays up, which is far from a given), I'd rather see Ramirez go down and get everyday at-bats at Iowa. Again, that assumes he's not traded before the Aug. 3 deadline - but it feels like he could be a long-term asset and, once Shaw returns, it feels like either he or Triantos will be headed back to Des Moines.

All this Cubs prospect does is hit, hit and hit some more

Last year at Triple-A, Jonathon Long put up some big numbers, slashing .305/.404/.479 and driving in 91 runs in 140 games. I don't know about you, but having that bat ready to come off the bench feels more constructive than rostering someone like Dean.

Long picked up right where he left off so far this season, posting an .812 OPS through his first 400+ plate appearances. He offers a defensive backup to Michael Busch at first and has experience at third and left, as well. If injuries hit the position player group, it's hard to imagine anyone other than Long getting the call (unless the Cubs keep the Kevin Alcantara shuttle running the rest of the summer).

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