The Cubs have traded Sergio Alcantara to the Diamondbacks for cash considerations, per a team announcement from the D-backs. Josh VanMeter was designated for assignment as the corresponding move.
Alcantara was designated for assignment by the Cubs last week to open up a roster spot for reliever Mychal Givens. His reputation is that of a glove-first infielder who can provide value with defense and speed, even if his bat doesn’t produce much. Last year, in 89 games for the Cubs, he hit .205/.303/.327 for a wRC+ of 71. But on the defensive side of things, he generally rated well, with Statcast ranking his work as being worth 9 Outs Above Average in that sample of just over half a season, spending time at shortstop, second base and third base.
It was recently reported that Nick Ahmed is still dealing with some shoulder soreness that has been bothering him for almost two years now. The acquisition of Alcantara boosts the team’s shortstop depth, with the new team member acting as a safety net in the event Ahmed requires some time on the IL or even just occasional rest days.
As for VanMeter, he originally came over to Arizona as part of the Archie Bradley deal before the 2020 trade deadline. Over the past three seasons, he’s gotten into 233 games between the Reds and the Diamondbacks. In that time, he’s hit just .212/.300/.364, for a wRC+ of 75. Despite that tepid batting line, he may still draw interest from other clubs for a couple of reasons. First of all, his Triple-A numbers are much better, as he’s hit .298/.379/.576 at that level. He’s also only 27 years old and has the positional versatility that teams love these days, having seen big league action at first, second and third base, as well as the outfield corners. He’s likely to hit the waiver wire in the coming days, with any team looking for a versatile bench piece potentially putting a claim in. But VanMeter is out of options, meaning he would have to stick on the roster of the acquiring team or else be put on waivers yet again.
First they lose Harold Ramirez, then Tommy Nance…now Alcantara! What are they doing??!!
As always, we await developments.
Getting rid of players who aren’t good enough to make the team? I mean, if you thought the Cubs were building anything with those players, you have a deeply skewed perception of reality and should probably be writing for Marquee Sports Network.
I’m pretty sure he was being sarcastic.
Cubs lose! Cubs lose! Holy cow!
D-backs making moves…
And I thought the Cubs were gonna be bad this year.
they’ve won the JD trade!
Big time
With Ahmed’s shoulder still being a problem, Alcantara gives them more depth at SS. VanMeter was probably redundant with the team basically committed to Ketel Marte at 2B and Josh Rojas at 3B.
I always like the “more to come…” Like he was traded for 10k.
Years from now we’ll remember the cash that the Diamondbacks gave Tom Ricketts in the Sergio Alcantara trade as the difference in his family overcoming “Biblical losses” in 2020 to scrape together enough money to acquire Chelsea SC!
Why do you care so much about what other people do with their money?
I care because I don’t believe that Ricketts’ other investments are kept separate from the payroll he allocates to the Cubs’ front office.
We’ve seen for the last several years as Ricketts pays for rooftop purchases, Wrigleyville, etc. that he drew down payroll every year.
This year he HAD to sign some players to field a team but still stopped well short of what he’s spent in the past.
I agree with you. As a Cubs fan myself, I’m disappointed in Ricketts even if he did help bring us a title finally. Plus, posters always complain about how their team spends money. Take Cohen for example – some Mets fans complained last year that he wasn’t spending enough; now others complain he spends too much.
Read this as Sandy Alcantara at first take
It’s not a great sign when you’re career comes full circle at 25.
DFA the guy responsible for NEXT TO LAST record in 2021….now who is playing 3B in 2022 beside Rojas?