Hoyer: Trade won't impact Cubs' plan with Baez

CHICAGO -- With Emilio Bonifacio's name mentioned in trade rumors, there was speculation early Thursday at Wrigley Field that Javier Baez was headed to Chicago before the Trade Deadline had expired.

But Baez, one of the Cubs' top prospects, will remain at Triple-A Iowa, general manager Jed Hoyer said Thursday. Bonifacio was dealt along with James Russell to the Braves, and the Cubs had not made corresponding roster moves prior to leaving for a six-game road trip, which starts Friday in Los Angeles.

"You don't speed up the process because actions like this occur," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said when asked about Baez. "You allow the process to continue to play itself out. You continue to allow [Baez] to do what he's doing and where he's at.

"As far as how we proceed and who ends up coming in, we'll have those discussions," Renteria said. "In terms of trying to speed somebody up because a move has been made, it could be irresponsible if the person isn't ready."

Baez has been playing shortstop and second base at Iowa, and was batting .255 in 100 games with 24 doubles, two triples, 20 home runs, and 76 RBIs.

"All the stuff you hear about the young guys in the Minor Leagues, you hear it for a reason," Russell said of the Cubs' prospects. "They're going to be good. There's a reason everybody gets that much coverage. It'll be fun to see them come up here and start contributing."

Kyle Hendricks and Arismendy Alcantara have been promoted, with the latter making Darwin Barney expendable. Barney was designated for assignment, then dealt to the Dodgers.

"We're definitely moving in a good direction," Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta said.