UPDATE: Cubs Release Gilberto Celestino
The Chicago Cubs have released outfielder Gilberto Celestino less than a month after acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Celestino, 25, only played in five games with the Iowa Cubs at Triple-A after he joined the squad on July 26. He got off to a good start at the plate, going 6-for-19, with a pair of doubles. However, the outfielder was placed on the injured list on Aug. 3, and on Sunday Celestino was released.
(Previous Update)
The Chicago Cubs have made a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, acquiring outfielder Gilberto Celestino for cash considerations. A couple different scenarios here as the Cubs do have an opening at Triple-A because of a handful of injuries, but could this deal be the start of bigger trades during the next week?
Celestino, a right-handed hitter, signed a minor league deal with the Pirates this past offseason and has been playing with Pittsburgh’s Triple-A affiliate in 2024.
The outfielder has had time in the majors as Celestino broke into the big leagues with the Minnesota Twins in 2021 and then got 347 plate appearances with the Twins in 2022. In those two seasons Celestino slashed .222/.292/.300, with 4 home runs, while striking out 91 times and drawing 35 walks with the Twins.
On Wednesday, 24-year-old Cubs prospect Alexander Canario was carted to the locker room at Triple-A Iowa after suffering a leg injury running the bases. The Iowa Cubs also have Brennen Davis and Trayce Thompson inactive, so it could make sense that trading for Celestino now is simply to fill in the depth in the minors.
However, you could certainly speculate that the Cubs need more outfield depth because they’re prepping to trade away guys from their MLB roster? Could Cody Bellinger and/or Mike Tauchman be on their way out? I mean, that could be the case, but at the same time I wouldn’t necessarily link this deal for Celestino as the precursor to that event. Looks more like a cover for Canario, who went down in a lot of pain.
That being said, it would have been nice if the Cubs opted to promote one of their prospects from Double-A up to Triple-A Iowa to replace the injured Canario. I mean, Kevin Alcantara has been a stud with the Tennessee Smokies and what better time than now to give him a much-deserved promotion.
A few other Cubs prospects are also deserving of a shot at the next level, but for now Celestino will be that extra depth in the Iowa Cubs outfield.
