Instead of left handed pitchers Raley or Rusin being axed from the 40 man roster, the Cubs (to make room for Villanueva, Schierholtz and E. Jackson) waived Rosario, who was claimed by another team this off season (Giants), lefty pitcher Beliveau who was claimed (by the Rangers) and a third move that was surprising: outrighting Gerardo Concepcion to Class A Kane County.
Concepcion was one of the first big money international signings by Epstein and Hoyer. They signed the young unproven player to a major league contract and large signing bonus before the new CBA caps took effect.
During last season, at least one scout from another organization reported that Concepcion "was horrible." The report was an indictment of the Cubs scouting - - - and signing a 19 year old to a major league deal - - - when the skill set was apparently lacking from the beginning. Concepcion's Class A stats in 12 starts were 2-6, 7.39 ERA in 52.1 IP, 70 hits, 52 runs, 6 HR allowed, 30 BB, 2 HBP, 4 balks and 3 wild pitches. For a highly touted prospect with a major league deal, this was a poor showing to say the least; major star prospects should eat this level of competition alive.
Yesterday, the Cubs announced that they outrighted Gerardo Concepcion to Class A
Kane County after the left-hander cleared waivers. What does that mean?
When a team "options" a player, the player sent to the minors but he is still on 40-man roster.
When a team "outrights" a player, the player sent to the minors and removed from the 40-man roster. This is often the end result of a young player being designated for assignment (outrighted players must pass through waivers, thus the player involved is usually a marginal prospect at best, anybody valuable would be kept on the 40-man roster). A veteran (5+ years of service time) who is DFA'd and clears waivers usually chooses to become a free agent rather than report to a minor league team.
In this case, Concepcion was put on waivers - - - and every major league team passed on him. Teams would rather claim a Rosario or a Beliveau over Concepcion. Concepcion still gets paid on his deal, but it really puts a damper on his prospect status if every other team's scouting department passed on him. It raises a concern that the Cubs evaluation of talent is more myth than a fact.
