Despite trade, Chicago Cubs won’t call up Javier Baez yet

The Chicago Cubs traded Emilio Bonifacio and James Russell to the Braves for Class-A catcher Victor Caratini Thursday afternoon sparking conversation about Javier Baez‘s potential call up.

The Cubs’ first-round pick of 2011 won’t be coming up from Triple-A Iowa to replace Bonifaco on the roster — at least not yet. The Cubs have yet to announce their roster changes, but general manager Jed Hoyer made sure to announce that to media not long after the trade.

"“We’re not going to change our timetable on any of our prospects based on a moves we made at the big league level. When we feel like they are ready to contribute, we’ll do that.”"

After a sluggish start, Baez has raised his batting average to .255 and hit his 21st home run and 77 RBI of the year Thursday for Iowa. He has seen time at shortstop and recently at second baseman, hitting .328 with six home runs since the move.

One thing the 21-year-old is focusing on at Iowa is improving his strikeout-to-walk ratio. His aggressive approach at the plate as seen him strike out 125 times in 400-plus plate appearances in the Pacific Coast League.

Arismendy Alcantara has played 11 games for the Cubs at second and has hit .254/.341/.437 slash line with two home runs and seven RBI while stealing four bases. The Domincian Republic native was called up on July 9 and has since proven to be a piece for the Cubs’ future.

Baez is a step closer to promotion after Thursday’s last minute deal, but he is not quite in Wrigleyville yet.

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