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Cubs replace .687 OPS catcher with former Dodgers World Series champion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Cubs rank 10th in the Majors with a .731 OPS, but have not gotten consistent production from some of their top hitters.
One of their younger position players, catcher Moises Ballesteros, has hit .128 in his last 106 plate appearances, per Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors.
On Friday, Chicago optioned the 22-year-old to Triple-A Iowa amid his struggles. For the season, Ballesteros is hitting .231/.303/.385 with six home runs and a .687 OPS.
Ballesteros' replacement is a 25-year-old outfielder who won a World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.
That player is Justin Dean, who was claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants in January.
Dean is not much of a hitter but is a terrific defensive outfielder who was mainly used as a pinch runner with the Dodgers.
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In Dean's 18 appearances with the Dodgers in 2025, he stepped up to the plate just two times. He is yet to record his first Major League hit.
This is not a permanent switch, and Ballesteros should be back in the Majors once he finds his swing and power stroke in the minors.
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