Mike Parisi: Cubs Hero!
The Cubs also outrighted the contract of Rule 5 pitcher Mike Parisi to Class AAA Iowa. Because Parisi had been outrighted once before, he was able to become a minor-league free agent and not go back to St. Louis. He chose to stay in the Cubs organization.
This should be the final piece to to tilt the axis of NL Central power to the Cubs. I hear plans for a parade down Clark Street are already under way.
The other roster move today was trading shortstop Andres Blanco to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named later or cash. Blanco was out of options and apparently the Cubs are comfortable enough with Mike Fontenot as a back-up shortstop. They could have tried to sneak him through waivers, but it appears the Rangers or possible another team was going to grab him, so the Cubs got something for him. With Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney in the mix, the Cubs have plenty of infield depth to cover the "loss". This was the first trade with the Rangers since 2006.
That leaves the bench as Koyie Hill, Jeff Baker (or Fontenot), Xavier Nady and then two spots left for Chad Tracy, Kevin Millar, Tyler Colvin, Sam Fuld or Micah Hoffpauir. Arizona Phil has heard that Tracy was already told to look for an apartment in Chicago, so it looks like he's in. That leaves one spot for Millar, Colvin, Fuld or Hoffpauir and with Colvin having the edge at the moment with the spring training he's had and an ability to play all three outfield positions. That being said, it seems the Cubs really want Millar to make the team, so don't be suprised if that still happens.
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