Cubs' Pedro Ramirez trade deadline decision is already looking like stroke of genius

I don't mean to put you in that dark place, but I'm going to do just that. Imagine this. Jed Hoyer, pressed to improve the Chicago Cubs' pitching staff, trades utilityman extraordinaire Pedro Ramirez. I know, given current circumstances, that sounds like nightmare fuel.

Thankfully, they didn't trade Ramirez. He's still here and, now, he's poised to play an integral role for the Cubs after Dansby Swanson hit the injured list due to an oblique strain. The hope is that, within a month or so, the Gold Glover is back in the starting lineup. But in the meantime, Ramirez stands to shoulder the bulk of the reps at second base as Nico Hoerner handles duties at shortstop.

Matt Shaw will begin a rehab stint this week, giving the Cubs another impactful infield option as Swanson works his way back from the injured list. The team is set up as well as can be expected to handle the loss of Swanson, and Ramirez plays perhaps the biggest role of all.

It's all eyes on Pedro Ramirez as Cubs live without Dansby Swanson

He's been impressive to this point, accumulating 1.2 bWAR across 49 games and 140 plate appearances entering Monday. Ramirez has played a key role for manager Craig Counsell, adding a veteran-like presence to the mix, despite being just 22 years old.

With Swanson sidelined for at least the next month, the Cubs are irrefutably committed to Ramirez' success in the closing weeks of the regular season. Hoerner has shortstop locked down and Ramirez is now responsible for the keystone - and I have to say, I'm feeling better than I have in years about someone handling a key middle infield position for Chicago.

Hinsdsight is 20/20. But after losing Swanson, the thought of being without Ramirez (especially as Shaw works his way back from injury) is chilling. After an offseason that saw Jed Hoyer trade for Edward Cabrera and sign Alex Bregman, the decision that's looming larger than all is the front office's choice to hold onto Pedro Ramirez.

Swanson is still critical to the Cubs' World Series hopes. But Ramirez is at least capable of holding down the fort while he's sidelined, And that's crazy important as the team casts its eye to October.

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