The White Sox have claimed Mike Olt from the Cubs, MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat tweets. The Cubs designated Olt for assignment last week when they acquired outfielder Austin Jackson. They originally acquired Olt from the Rangers when they sent Matt Garza to Texas in 2013. At the time, Olt was a well regarded young player who had hit for good power in the minors, but he struggled at the Triple-A level after arriving in the Cubs system. He got an extended shot in the Majors last season and didn’t hit well, batting .160/.248/.356 in 258 plate appearances (although he did hit 12 homers). This year, he’s hit .265/.333/.460 in 235 plate appearances at Triple-A, missing time early in the season due to a wrist injury.
With Kris Bryant at third base, Anthony Rizzo at first and plenty of young talent elsewhere, it appeared unlikely Olt would get many more chances with the Cubs. Now 27, he’ll attempt to revive his career with the Cubs’ crosstown rivals. The White Sox should be able to provide more opportunities at third base — the team currently has Tyler Saladino and Gordon Beckham at third, neither of whom have hit well this year.
hope he can get his career on track has potential in his bat plus he had so much bad luck with injuries vision, he got hit in the head, then his wrist he can’t even get his chance. ya he struggled last year with the cubs his first full season. last two years at iowa olt has hit a 271 avg so hopefully that’s a good sign really pulling out for him
Great landing spot. Not a crazy amount of competition at third and if they teade Laroche he can play first as well
Trade LaRoche, Boy, I bet Hahn wishes he could (as do most fans). Same with Danks.
That Matt Garza trade with the Rangers doesn’t look that great for either team in hindsight. Garza did help Texas get in the playoffs, but they lost him after the season. The Cubs really only got Olt and three middle relievers for him and only two have done anything in the bigs so far. Edwards may or may not be good. Relievers are a very hard lot to predict from year to year. Most just have their production fall off a cliff after a good year or two. The Cubs seem to have still won the deal, but by a much slimmer margin that most people expected when it went down.
C.J.. Edwards is still a Top 100 prospect according to Baseball America 2015 mid season report. There has also been talk of moving him back to starter, hence his higher rating than one might expect. Justin Grimm has been near dominant and Neil Ramirez has been great when he pitched though he has been injured for a bit this year. In 13 starts for the Rangers, Matt Garza was 4-5 with a 4.38 ERA in 84 1/3 innings. Then gone, no compensation pick. Olt has suffered through two really messed up seasons, and I wish him well with the White Sox. It remains a lopsided deal in the Cubs favor.
Still 3 bullpen pitchers. And Edwards’ numbers belie his prospect ranking. Yes, the Cubs won the trade but the selling team should in the long run. Cubs have done great overall in their dispersal trades; much better than the Astros did when trading Pence, Oswalt, etc. Astros’ talent came from great drafting.
As for Olt, I never understood why he was rated as a top 30 prospect in the first place. Power is good, but never great, and his K totals have been consistently high. Maybe the Sox get lucky here -they are due for some good fortune on position players.
just needs to cut down on that swing he has easy power could get one out with just the flick of the wrist
Could be a solid pickup especially if the Sox did not have to give anything up to get him. Heck if he can at least play solidly at 3rd, hit .250 and belt 15-20 homers that would be great..
Though to say Saladino has not hit well is not exactly correct IMO. It seems he is at least better at getting key hits here and there (better than what they had there previously anyway)