There seems to be a new approach to the Cubs as the team tries to rebuild its major league bullpen.
The Cubs have acquired righty Spencer Patton from the Rangers in exchange for infielder Frandy De La Rosa. The team previously claimed injured pitcher Jack Leathersich on waivers and signed minor league free agent righty Audury Acevedo to a major league deal.
These transactions show a clear pattern: assemble a number cheap AAA arms and sees what pans out in spring training.
Leathersich will not be an option for a long time. Another Cub rehab project, Leathersich, 25, had Tommy John surgery in July. He was a first round selection of the Mets. In 5 minor league seasons, he is 9-9, 3.55 ERA with 7 saves. He has thrown only 11.3 major league innings. He has middle reliever status.
Patton, 27, has a 15-14, 3.49 ERA in 5 minor league seasons. He only has less than 34 innings of major league experience.
The 25-year-old Acevedo sped up the ladder in the Yankees
organization last year after starting the season at High-A. He
ultimately reached the Triple-A level in time to make ten late-season
appearances.
Acevedo, a converted infielder, worked to a composite 2.59 ERA with
7.5 K/9 against 3.2 BB/9 over 59 total frames. He seemed to have limited
the severe control issues he showed in his first couple of seasons
after moving to the mound, but he did allow nine free passes in his 10
2/3 frames at the highest level of the minors.
These three Cubs signings represent another example of teams recently handing 40-man spots to minor league free agents. Usually, minor league free agents average 27 years of age which is still younger than an average veteran journeyman looking to latch on to a team in the off-season. Many teams may sign these minor leaguers to major league minimum deals because they are cheaper than veterans. Also, the minor leaguers may have more perceived upside than a journeyman.
