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The Cubs are reportedly trading for left-handed hitting, utility man Miles Mastrobuoni. According to Rays beat reporter Marc Topkin, the Cubs are sending a Class-A pitcher to Tampa Bay in exchange for the 27-year-old.
Mastrobuoni had a short stint with the Rays in 2022, getting his first cup of coffee in the majors in September. He played in eight games and went 3-for-16 at the plate. The 2016 draft pick had a great season at Triple-A in 2022 for the Rays, slashing .300/.377/.469, with 16 home runs in 129 games. That was a big bump in power, as Mastrobuoni entered 2022 with only 13 career home runs in the minors since 2016.
The left-handed hitter was especially good against right-handed pitching at Triple-A last season, posting a .914 against them.
As the tweet above mentioned, Mastrobuoni played all over the field in 2022, logging innings at all three outfield positions as well as second base, shortstop and third base.
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You’d have to think that the Cubs view Mastrobuoni’s defensive flexibility as a major plus, though the majority of his playing time has come at second base. Nonetheless, he could be in line to replace Zach McKinstry or Rafael Ortega, depending on how the Cubs feel about Mastrobuoni’s ability patrolling center field. Regardless, I do expect Mastrobuoni to compete for a bench spot on the Cubs in 2023.
Meanwhile, South Bend Cubs announcer Max Thoma was the first to say who the Rays are getting in return.
Topkin has confirmed that 21-year-old Alfredo Zarraga is the pitcher going to the Rays.
Zarraga was outstanding in 2022 at Myrtle Beach in his time pitching there. The right-hander struck out 28 batters in 17.1 innings, allowing a .164 batting average against him in 16 games. Zarraga also pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in his lone relief appearance with South Bend.
Yeah, you always get a little scared when you make a trade with the Rays.
The Cubs have officially announced the trade.
