CHICAGO _ The debate over who got the better of the trade that sent Jose Quintana to the Cubs for marquee prospects Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease might not be accurately determined until at least the latter two players reach the majors.
But that hasn't stopped some from declaring last July's deal was a fleecing for the Sox, even though none of the four players sent from the Cubs are playing at the Triple-A level.
So leave it to Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who cut his teeth in player development for 15 seasons in the Angels organization, to provide some perspective Wednesday following Quintana's 13-4 win over the Marlins.
"Sometimes you've got to wait a bit to really feel the balance," Maddon said.
"We're happy with what we got. And I really wish the guys well that went over there. They're good players, too. So sometimes you want to evaluate things quickly in this game. You can do that, but the game needs time to indicate exactly what did go on."
From an urgency standpoint, the Cubs did well as Quintana fortified the Cubs' rotation in helping them overcome a 5 {-game deficit to win the National League Central. Scoreboard highlights of Quintana's 12-strikeout performance in his Cubs debut at Baltimore stoked pleasant memories for Maddon. Quintana had a 5.73 ERA in six starts in August, but he rebounded in September with his 5-0 shutout at Milwaukee that essentially enabled the Cubs to all but secure the division title with a five-game lead with seven games left.
Furthermore, Quintana's team-friendly contract, which includes two team options through 2020, allowed the Cubs to address their rotation and relief needs last winter.
So far, Jimenez and Cease have lived up to their billing. After missing the first three weeks due to a left pectoral strain, Jimenez is batting .346 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs in only 81 at-bats. He doubled twice in Birmingham's win over Pensacola on Wednesday, the ninth consecutive game in which he has had two or more hits.
Cease is 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA in six starts at Class A Winston-Salem, with a 98 mph fastball and knee-buckling curve helping him strike out 42 in only 32 1/3 innings.
"We did really, really well," Maddon said. "But so did the White Sox."
Infielders Matt Rose and Bryant Flete are playing at Birmingham but not listed among the Sox's top prospects.
There are a few issues involving Jimenez and Cease as they climb toward the majors. Jimenez, 21, has been nagged by shoulder and pectoral injuries, and it will be important for the Sox's medical staff to take care of him as he embarks on his ascent.
Cease is dominating high Class A batters, but he's in his fourth minor-league season after undergoing Tommy John surgery out of high school. Cease could advance quicker as a reliever, although the Sox have shown restraint in pushing their prospects.
