By Steve Rhodes
One in an occasional series tracking the movements of former Cubs.
1. Darwin Barney.
Barney is an investor in a consortium trying to land an MLB franchise for Portland.
2. Neil Ramirez.
Ramirez accepted a minor league assignment from the Indians to go down to its Triple-A team in Columbus and see if he could work out his problems.
3. Billy McKinney.
McKinney met the left-field wall at the Grate up close and personal in May as a member of the Blue Jays, but was back down in Triple-A Buffalo a week later.
4. Jim Riggleman.
Riggs reportedly might get yet another big league managing job.
5. Davey Martinez.
The dreaded vote of confidence.
6. Brandon Hyde.
Reportedly changing the culture in Baltimore.
7. Koji Uehara.
Retired.
8. Jeimer Candelario.
Sent down to Triple-A Toledo, then put on the IL, yet still on the All-Star ballot.
“It’s a disappointing turn of events for the 25-year-old Candelario, whom the Tigers hoped could solidify himself as their third baseman of the future,” MLB Trade Rumors notes.
“Acquired in the 2017 trade that sent Justin Wilson to the Cubs, Candelario burst onto the scene in Detroit late that summer, hitting .330/.406/.468 down in 106 plate appearances down the stretch.
“While the 2018 season was an uneven one for the switch-hitter, he still managed to swat 19 homers, 28 doubles and three triples.
“The 2019 season simply hasn’t been a good one . . . Candelario’s power has simply evaporated. He’s hitting more line-drives and fly-balls than he did in 2018 but hasn’t seen the corresponding uptick in exit velocity or hard-hit rate that one would prefer to accompany such trends.”
9. James Russell.
Playing for Toros de Tijuana in the Mexican League.
10. Junior Lake.
Also playing for Toros de Tijuana in the Mexican League.
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Comments welcome.
Posted on June 5, 2019