Chicago Cubs and Emilio Bonifacio agree to minor-league deal
While the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants prepare for their important three-game series at AT&T Park this evening, it was announced that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer brought in another familiar face that they traded away last July.
According to CSN Chicago’s own Patrick Mooney on Twitter, the Cubs have signed utility man, Emilio Bonifacio to a minor-league deal after he was designated for assignment by the White Sox on August 16th and being released two days after.
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Bonifacio, 30, joined the Cubs on a minor-league contract back in February of 2014 and became a member of the Opening Day roster.
Prior to being shipped away to the Atlanta Braves along with reliever James Russell for Victor Caratini, Bonifacio recorded 77 hits, 14 doubles, three triples, two homers with 18 RBI while slashing .279/.318/.373.
Bringing him back on board, even if it is with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs for a week or two will surely benefit Joe Maddon and this club. Once the big league rosters are able to expand, it’ll give Maddon the opportunity to stick him at any position but catcher and first base considering the experience he has at nearly every position on the depth chart.
Now that Bonifacio is back with the North Siders, what does that mean for guys like Arismendy Alcantara and Javier Baez — two prospects looking to make their way back as active members of the 25-man major league roster.
As of right now, it only means more help on getting better and sharpening up their tools with that goal in mind. Just because he was re-signed doesn’t mean this front office is going to give up on certain pieces of this organization.
Like Manny Ramirez, Emilio is another veteran that these young players will be able to work with on a day-to-day basis for as long as he’s with this club. No matter if it’s Kris Bryant or Kyle Schwarber who are definite locks at the big league level.
There’s no doubt that it’s great to see him back with the Cubs considering how popular he became during the first-half of the 2014 campaign. The only difference now is that this club is one of the hottest teams in all of baseball and are on their way to making the post-season for the first time since 2008.
Welcome back, Emilio!