An eventful start to the offseason has left the Chicago Cubs with an embarrassment of riches. With the addition of Ben Zobrist to play second base and Jason Heyward penciled in to start in the outfield, Chicago is now trying to find out what to do with Jorge Soler and Javier Baez. Both have been linked to multiple trade rumors, though Soler is currently projected to start in right field, while Baez looks like a super utility player right now.
Baez split time between Chicago and Triple-A Iowa last year, but was a utility starter for whatever level he was playing at. Between Triple-A and the majors, the 23-year-old made 36 appearances at second base, 20 appearances at third base, 48 appearances at shortstop and once at first base. Now as the Cubs try and find more creative ways to get his bat in the lineup, the team is asking him to try out center field for his winter league team in Puerto Rico.
It's a smart move by the Cubs and one that could paly even a little bit further into potential chances that Baez or Soler is traded. If he shows enough to be "acceptable" in center field, it might give the Cubs more inclination to trade Soler for a starting pitcher and shift Heyward back to right field. But even if the experiment fails, Baez has the versatility in the middle infield that pairs well with his plus-plus power to be a sizable trade chip/
As the Cubs continue to find ways to upgrade their rotation, being connected to names like Tyson Ross, Carlos Carrasco and numerous other young, controllable starting pitchers. From a fantasy perspective, Baez power plays much better at Wrigley Field, where the ball carries and he has a tremendous lineup around him, but the best opportunity to start may come elsewhere.