Report: Tampa Bay Rays Are Interested In Cubs' Javier Baez
(CBS) As baseball's Winter Meetings opened Monday morning in Nashville, trade talk began to heat up.
Some of the early conversation took place between the Rays and Cubs. Tampa Bay is targeting Chicago infielder Javier Baez, according to the Tampa Bay Times. In return, the Cubs are seeking pitching, with left-handed reliever Jake McGee one of the targets that Chicago is considering.
The Rays have an abundance of young pitching that could intrigue the Cubs, including the likes of Brad Boxberger, Drew Smyly, Matt Moore, Jake Odorizzi and Erasmo Ramirez, the Times reported.
Baez, 23, hit .289 with one homer and four RBIs in 76 at-bats in the big leagues in 2015. He spent most of the season at Triple-A, working to cut down his previously sky-high strikeout rate. Baez struck out 24 times in 80 plate appearances in the big leagues.
Baez also had a homer and three RBIs in six postseason games, taking on a bigger role after starting shortstop Addison Russell was injured.
Baez also can play second base and third base. He's deemed expendable because the Cubs have committed to Russell at shortstop and also have Starlin Castro in the picture as well on a team-friendly contract.