Following his designation for assignment last week, the Cubs have traded Miles Mastrobuoni to the Mariners for cash considerations. So much for the idea of flipping Nico Hoerner to Seattle for one of their young, cost-controlled starters. Not that such a deal would have worked, though it’s still not inconceivable that the Cubs could move Hoerner even though doing so would defang their defense and lower the roster’s floor.
Mastrobuoni is a versatile defensive player who hit very well in the minors but was never able to put it together over what amounted to about half a season of plate appearances over parts of three years.