Geovany Soto To Be Activated On Monday?

May 13, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cesar Izturis (3) is tagged out by Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto (18) during the seventh inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Chicago Cubs starting catcher Geovany Soto is expected to complete his rehab assignment on Monday. Meaning it is likely that Soto will be activated from the disabled list.

Soto is returning to the Cubs at the right time. Both for the front office and his own benefit. Reason being we are in the middle of June, and the trade deadline is about six weeks away. July 31 figures to be an important date for Soto and many other players on the Cubs’ roster.

Soto could join the likes of Ryan Dempster, Bryan LaHair, Alfonso Soriano, Matt Garza, and Carlos Marmol as players to be traded between now and the trade deadline.

If the front office is planning to trade Soto, it may be in their best interest for Soto to be in the starting lineup on an everyday basis. Soto needs to prove to contending teams in need of catching help that he is capable of being the player that won the 2008 rookie of the year award. Soto has yet to prove that this season.

In 28 games played this season, Soto is hitting .161/.250/.301 to go along with 3 home runs and 6 RBIs. More times than not the reason that teams acquire a catcher around the deadline is to improve that position form an offensive perspective. Soto has always been considered to be a better offensive catches as opposed to being a defensive catcher. The issue is that Soto has yet to prove himself offensively in Major League Baseball.

With Soto potentially being activated on Monday, the Cubs could have three catchers on the 25 man roster. Welington Castillo, who was activated from the disabled list this past week, and Steve Clevenger are both currently on the 25 man roster. Though, the Cubs may plan to keep all three players on the 25 man roster when Soto is activated on Monday. Castillo, who is hitting .200/.273/.367 on the season will serve as a backup catcher. Meanwhile, Clevenger–hitting .294/.314/.412 on the season–will see time both at the catcher’s and first baseman’s position.

The odd man out on the Cubs’ 25 man roster would appear to be infielder Adrian Cardenas. The Cubs claimed Cardenas from the Oakland Athletics during Spring Training. In 33 at bats with the Cubs this season, Cardenas is hitting .152/.200/.303. It appears that Luis Valbuena has a lock on the third base position while Ian Stewart is on the disabled list, and with Jeff Baker already on the bench, a trip back to Iowa figures to be in Cardenas’ future.