Baker has spent his career in Colorado but has only played consistently over two seasons.

He has spent most of this season on the DL thanks to troubles with his wrist, but he will be activated today and brought right to the majors.

Baker will probably play second base, and could bring some more offensive production out of a spot that had been a big problem for the Cubs this season.

Last season, Baker his .268 with 12 home runs. Alburquerque has been doing well this season in Single-A going 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA as a relief pitcher.

To make room for Baker on the major league squad, the Cubs have designated utility player Ryan Freel for assignment.

Freel was brought to the Cubs to bring a veteran presence, but he has struggled at the plate, hitting an abysmal .140 with just two RBI’s in his time with the Cubs.

-Joe Willett

The only team that has underachieved more has been the Yankees, but since A-Rod came back, they have been on a tear, which leaves the Cubs all alone.

However, through the past five games, they have gone 4-1, which may be an anomaly in a disappointing season, but it could also start to signal change.

However, the Cubs haven’t been pulling off small, one-run wins.  They have won three of their past four wins by at least three runs.

Also, they have had outstanding pitching over the past five games.  They haven’t allowed more than two runs in any game, and they have allowed just a combined six runs in the past five games.

Another nice thing that has happened has been the resurgence of Milton Bradley, who has been the biggest bust on the Cubs so far this season.

Over the past week, Bradley is batting .400, and has brought his average up to .223 on the season.  He has also hit a home run and has five RBI’s.

However, the most interesting part of this five game span, is that they have been winning with multiple important players stuck on the DL.

Rich Harden, Aramis Ramirez, Aaron Miles and Ryan Freel all get decent playing time and all are currently on the DL.

When the Cubs get healthy, they may be able to continue their resurgence and come back with a vengeance.

Who knows, maybe they could jump out of fourth place in the division and start doing what we all thought that they would do this season.

Then again, it’s only five games, and maybe I’m putting a bit to much emphasis on it.

-Joe Willett

All photos taken by the Associated Press

Ken Rosenthal from Fox Sports is reporting that the Cubs and Orioles are talking about a possible deal for disgruntled utility man Ryan Freel.

Freel is a high on-base kind of guy, with little to no power. He has been unhappy with his role in Baltimore and GM Andy MacPhail is actively trying to move him.

Rosenthal suggests that Joey Gathright would likely be the player that Jim Hendry would send the Orioles in return for Freel.

MLBTradeRumors.com reports that “The Orioles are talking to other clubs about Freel, who has about $3.3MM remaining on this year’s contract.”

I’m sure that MacPhail will have to eat some of that contract in order to move Freel, but if he is willing, I think he would add some veteran depth to the Cubs.

Freel doesn’t have the speed he once had, but, according to Rosenthal, the Cubs are “seeking more versatility for their bench.”

Freel once stole 35-plus bases in three consecutive seasons, from 2004-2006 with the Cincinnati Reds.

The 33-year-old plays second and third base, as well as all three outfield positions. He recently completed an injury-rehabilitation assignment that left a bad taste in his mouth.

Freel has a career line of .271/.357/.374.

This could make sense, come to think of it. What do you think?

-Bob Warja