We are seeing more trades after a player has been "designated for assignment." A team needed space on their 40 man roster has to DFA someone in order to activate a disabled player or promote a minor leaguer. It does not always work out well.
The Cubs acquired right handed reliever Henry Rodriguez from the Nationals in exchange for Class A pitcher Ian Dickson.
Rodriguez, 26, has a 4.23 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 6.1 BB/9 across parts
of five big league seasons with the A's and Nats. In 18 innings
in relief for Washington this year, he had 4.00 ERA with eleven
strikeouts and 16 walks. Rodriguez claim to fame is that he has a 100 mph fastball.
Dickson, 22, was a 35th round selection in the 2011 draft. Dickson has a 6.88 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in three
starts and eight relief appearances for Class A Kane County
this year.
From one viewpoint, Rodriguez could be considered the 40th best player on the Cubs roster. But his control issues have had him released by two clubs already in his career. It may be a long shot but it only cost the Cubs a marginal Class A pitcher. But this continues the bad band-aid approach of the front office to gather up the releases of other teams to try to fashion a bullpen.
