Once an elite prospect destined to help the Chicago Cubs become relevant again, Javier Baez is now a former prospect hoping to latch onto a Cubs team that became relevant without him.
But there's a line between "former prospect" and "afterthought." Baez is still only 23, and he still has the talent that made him a top prospect in the first place. He also has what most afterthoughts don't.
An opportunity.
Coming off a 97-win season that took them to the National League Championship Series, the Cubs don't have a starting role for Baez in 2016.