Cubs management continues to drone on adding "depth" to the organization.
In the last two moves, the Cubs added pitchers at both ends of the prospect spectrum.
The team has signed Australian southpaw Ryan Rowland-Smith to a minor league deal, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. The Australian southpaw compiled a 4.57 ERA and a 1.64 K/BB ratio in 362 2/3 innings with the Mariners from 2007-10. Rowland-Smith, 29, spent last season in the Astros' minor league system, 2-10 record, 6.19 ERA in 22 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City; 104.2 IP, 131 H, 77 R, 41 BB, 87 K and 1.643 WHIP. In 2010 with Seattle, he was 1-10, 6.75 ERA in 27 games (20 starts), 109 IP, 141 H, 46 BB, 49 K, 1.692 WHIP.
This signing is merely a roster placeholder for AAA Iowa. At 29, Rowland-Smith has not been on an improvement track, but putting up bad numbers in AAA after failing with the Mariners. The very high WHIP indicates a real control issue.
The other signee is from the international arena, where the Cubs are keen to develop talent with the new, state of the art training academy in the Dominican. In a field of 10 teams allegedly offering him a contract, Cuban defector Gerardo Concepcion signed a $7 to $8 million contract with the Cubs. The contract will become official once Concepcion passes a physical. Concepcion's age is unclear, either 18 or 19 years old. He was a rookie in the Cuban National League in 2011. He went 10-3, 3.36 ERA in 21 games (16 starts). He was the league rookie of the year. At 6'2", the slender left hander throws a low 90s fastball.
This signing is a calculated risk. Some organizations view the Cuban baseball leagues as being Low A caliber. On the other hand, some organizations also view the Cuban national team as being a High AA-AAA caliber talent. With only one professional season to review, there is not much history with Concepcion. But the Cubs committed first round draft money in the Cuban.
Rowland-Smith has no future with the Cubs, but Concepcion is Hoyer's first big new talent signing of his GM tenure.
