Chicago Cubs Plan To Acquire Kane County Cougars

Entering the season, the prospect spotlight was shining on Anthony Rizzo and Brett Jackson. With Rizzo and Jackson currently playing on the Major League roster, the prospect spotlight is now shining on several players that figure to play a vital role in the Cubs’ long-term future. Those players are shortstop Javier Baez, and outfielders Albert Almora and Jorge Soler. Baez is quickly emerging as the Cubs’ top prospect. Baez will likely finish the season playing at Daytona with the Daytona Cubs. Daytona is the Cubs high-class A affiliate.

Meanwhile Soler is playing with the Peoria Chiefs, which is the Cubs’ low-class A affiliate, and Almora figures to join Soler in the near future. But, the pair of prospects may not be playing in Peoria for much longer. Operating under the assumption that neither Soler nor Almora will be promoted to Daytona until some point during the 2013 season, then Cubs fans will soon have a golden opportunity to watch Soler and Almora on a regular basis.

The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of a player development agreement with the Kane County Cougars. To simply put it, the Cubs are purchasing the Kane County Cougars from the Kansas City Royals. Assuming the agreement becomes finalized, the Kane County Cougars will be the new organization for the Cubs’ low-class A affiliate. Meaning that the Cubs’ top prospects–Soler and Almora–could potentially start the 2013 season playing their home games in Kane County.

While Peoria has certainly been a welcoming affiliation for the Chicago Cubs, this move would be in the Cubs’ best interest. Kane County is 120 miles closer to Chicago than Peoria, making it a much easier task for front office officials to visit and scout the team’s various prospects.

There were rumors in the off-season that the Cubs affiliation with the Peoria Chiefs would be coming to an end, and this report by Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times certainly should not come as surprise. While the Cubs’ following in Peoria will certainly be saddened by the move, it is the right move for the Cubs and the future of their organization.