2019 I-Cubs Pick Up New Threads
Former Iowa Cubs are on the move this offseason. In case you missed it, here are 2019 I-Cubs that have inked new deals.
Former Iowa Cubs are on the move this offseason. In case you missed it, here are 2019 I-Cubs that have inked new deals.
INF
Evans appeared in 130 games for Iowa while remaining active on the roster from Opening Day through the playoffs. In 2019, the infielder set career highs in home runs (17), RBI (61) and walks (57), while becoming the first I-Cub to punch 30 doubles since Josh Vitters in 2012. In the PCL Semi-Finals, Evans helped Iowa to a Game 4 victory with a bases-loaded sac fly in the 11th inning.
Evans came up through the Mets' system, reaching the majors in September of 2017. The 27-year-old also collected big league time in 2018 and holds a career .241 average through 34 games. Evans signed a minor league deal with the Pirates and snagged an invite to Spring Training.
RHP
Clifton has worked in an I-Cubs uniform for the past two seasons, totaling a 4.65 ERA through 38 games (32 GS). The 24-year-old was selected by the Cubs in the 12th round of the 2013 draft out of Heritage High School in Maryville, Tennessee. The righty became a free agent following the 2019 campaign and recently signed a minor league deal with Arizona.
INF
Machado was an integral part of Iowa's success in 2019, helping the team with a career-best 17 home runs while knocking in 65 through 102 games. Machado, on a one-year minor league deal with the Cubs, was originally signed by Detroit in 2009. The Venezuela native worked his way to the big leagues in 2015 and shuttled between Detroit and Triple-A Toledo through 2018. Machado is a career .227 hitter in 172 major league contests. He will head to Korea for the 2020 season to play for the Lotte Giants.
P
Edwards signed a major league deal with the Seattle Mariners in early December. 'The String Bean Slinger' suited up for Iowa in parts of 2015 and '17-'19, compiling a 3.57 ERA and 91 Ks through 73.2 innings in 64 games.
Originally signed by Texas in the 48th round of the 2011 Draft, Edwards was dealt to Chicago at the deadline in 2013 in a five-player trade. The righty helped Chicago to a 2016 World Series Championship with a 3.75 ERA (15ER/36.0IP) in 36 games with the club during the regular season. He got the first two outs in the 10th inning in Game 7 of the World Series.
Edwards was traded to San Diego on July 31, 2019 for LHP
OF
Borenstein appeared in just 13 games as an I-Cub to start 2019, before he was released by the organization. The outfielder went 10-for-41 with one home run and six RBI in his short stint.
The 29-year-old was selected by the Angels in the 23rd round of the 2011 Draft and has also worked in the Diamondback and Mets' systems prior to joining the Cubs. For the balance of 2019, Borenstein played for the Sugar Land Skeeters in the Atlantic League.