The Cubs told the world last week that the team was ready to wheel and deal their players well ahead of the trade deadline. Another lost season means the front office is going to reshuffle the roster deck.
One would have thought that meant "major league" talent on sale. But the omnibus sign is that teams are not interested in the talent on the major league roster.
The Cubs first traded utility infielder Brett Lillibridge to the Yankees for a player to be named later or cash. Lillibridge had been in Iowa. His claim to fame so far this season was the third choice at third base to keep Ian Stewart on the bench.
Next, the Cubs traded relief pitcher Hinsanori Takahashi to the Rockies for a player to be named later. Takahashi is a lefty who got hurt. He spent most of his time at Iowa.
So the early interest in Cub property is at the Triple-A level. Could Blake Parker be the next Iowa Cub to be traded? It really does not matter. More than half the bleachers were empty yesterday on a hot summer Sunday at Wrigley Field. Most fans have already checked out of this season. The front office is trying to split early, too.
The Cubs may designate for assignment Henry Rodriguez, the flame throwing ex-National who has more command issues than Carlos Marmol. Rodriguez's stay in Chicago was a short blip on the radar. The Cubs must want to show case a pitcher or make room for a potential two-for-one trade.
Showing posts with label Lillibridge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lillibridge. Show all posts
June 24, 2013
April 16, 2013
GARBAGE OUT GARBAGE IN
This is one of those days when a team takes out the trash and replaces it with fresher trash.
As expected, the Cubs activated Darwin Barney from the DL. Steve Clevenger was put on the 60 day DL to open a spot on the roster for Kameron Loe, a Mariner relief pitcher who was waived last week by Seattle. Loe was not very good in Seattle this season.
The Cubs opened up some bullpen spots by optioning Rafael Dolis to Iowa and designating lefty reliever Hinsanori Takahashi for assignment. The Cubs have 10 days to trade, release or waive Takahashi. Takahashi appeared in 3 games for the Cubs, leaving with a 6.00 ERA and 1.667 WHIP.
Kevin Gregg replaces Takahashi in the bullpen. Gregg was released from the Dodgers at the end of spring training. Gregg pitched in 40 games for Baltimore last season, going 3-2, 4.95 ERA, 0 saves, and 1.695 WHIP.
Further, the Cubs designated Brett Lillibridge for assignment. Lillibridge had one hit in 24 at-bats (.042). The Cubs then claimed from San Diego infielder Cody Ransom. Ransom, a .215 career hitter, has played with seven teams over 10 seasons. He played in five games with the Padres this season, going hitless in 11 at-bats. In 2012, for the Brewers he batted .196, 6 HR, 26 RBI, .93 OBP. Previously, he was with Arizona. He hit .269, 5 HR, 16 RBI.
None of these new Cub players are building blocks for the future. These are more used sandbags thrown against the rising tide of defeat.
As expected, the Cubs activated Darwin Barney from the DL. Steve Clevenger was put on the 60 day DL to open a spot on the roster for Kameron Loe, a Mariner relief pitcher who was waived last week by Seattle. Loe was not very good in Seattle this season.
The Cubs opened up some bullpen spots by optioning Rafael Dolis to Iowa and designating lefty reliever Hinsanori Takahashi for assignment. The Cubs have 10 days to trade, release or waive Takahashi. Takahashi appeared in 3 games for the Cubs, leaving with a 6.00 ERA and 1.667 WHIP.
Kevin Gregg replaces Takahashi in the bullpen. Gregg was released from the Dodgers at the end of spring training. Gregg pitched in 40 games for Baltimore last season, going 3-2, 4.95 ERA, 0 saves, and 1.695 WHIP.
Further, the Cubs designated Brett Lillibridge for assignment. Lillibridge had one hit in 24 at-bats (.042). The Cubs then claimed from San Diego infielder Cody Ransom. Ransom, a .215 career hitter, has played with seven teams over 10 seasons. He played in five games with the Padres this season, going hitless in 11 at-bats. In 2012, for the Brewers he batted .196, 6 HR, 26 RBI, .93 OBP. Previously, he was with Arizona. He hit .269, 5 HR, 16 RBI.
None of these new Cub players are building blocks for the future. These are more used sandbags thrown against the rising tide of defeat.
June 25, 2012
CHANGE OF SOX
The White Sox filled their worm hole of bad at third base. GM Kenny Williams pulled the trigger with Boston to acquire disgruntled and displaced 33 year old Kevin Youkilis and cash in exchange for pitcher Zach Stewart and utility player Brent Lillibridge. The cash component was the key for Boston to receive two major league ready players in exchange for an aging veteran with a history of back issues. Reports have the White Sox only taking on $2.5 to $3 in new salary with Youkilis.
Several local columnists have been on the Youkilis bandwagon for weeks before the trade. The tarot cards were clear: Youkilis was not getting along with new manager Bobby Valentine; the Red Sox club house was a mess; the Red Sox were losing; and a rookie had earned the starting third base job.
Youkilis, who is hitting .233 with four homers in 42 games, is leaving Boston with a chip on his shoulder — "he wants to prove some people wrong,'' Williams said.
The question remains whether Youkilis a) can stay healthy and b) perform better than the collective .167 BA, 1 HR 18 RBI third base corps the White Sox have had to patch together since Brent Morel's back injury. The White Sox 3b position ranked dead last in every offensive category. The pick up of middle infielder Orlando Hudson was a Hail Mary solution to the problem. It did not work.
So the White Sox had a desperate need at third and the Red Sox had a desperate need to get rid of potential problem in Youkilis. This deal makes sense.
The White Sox must know that they are getting a player on the downward slide of his career. Will he be like a Ron Cey or a Gary Gaetti, past Cub caretakers who ended their careers quietly in Chicago?
Zach Stewart could become a #5 starter if given a real chance. The White Sox had enough starting pitching at the beginning of the season to put Stewart in long relief. But with the emergence of rookie Quintana as the #6 starter, Stewart was ticketed back to AAA, even though the White Sox rotation is down two (Danks, Humber).
This transaction is one of those "it had hurt" deals. Neither side is expecting a gold mine result, but it has to be better than the status quo.
Several local columnists have been on the Youkilis bandwagon for weeks before the trade. The tarot cards were clear: Youkilis was not getting along with new manager Bobby Valentine; the Red Sox club house was a mess; the Red Sox were losing; and a rookie had earned the starting third base job.
Youkilis, who is hitting .233 with four homers in 42 games, is leaving Boston with a chip on his shoulder — "he wants to prove some people wrong,'' Williams said.
The question remains whether Youkilis a) can stay healthy and b) perform better than the collective .167 BA, 1 HR 18 RBI third base corps the White Sox have had to patch together since Brent Morel's back injury. The White Sox 3b position ranked dead last in every offensive category. The pick up of middle infielder Orlando Hudson was a Hail Mary solution to the problem. It did not work.
So the White Sox had a desperate need at third and the Red Sox had a desperate need to get rid of potential problem in Youkilis. This deal makes sense.
The White Sox must know that they are getting a player on the downward slide of his career. Will he be like a Ron Cey or a Gary Gaetti, past Cub caretakers who ended their careers quietly in Chicago?
Zach Stewart could become a #5 starter if given a real chance. The White Sox had enough starting pitching at the beginning of the season to put Stewart in long relief. But with the emergence of rookie Quintana as the #6 starter, Stewart was ticketed back to AAA, even though the White Sox rotation is down two (Danks, Humber).
This transaction is one of those "it had hurt" deals. Neither side is expecting a gold mine result, but it has to be better than the status quo.
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