The Cubs suddenly traded David DeJesus to the Nationals, tonight's opponent, for a player to be named later. A nobody to be named later. The Nats get a spare .250 hitting outfielder with an option for his services at $6.5 million next season.
Why did the Cubs feel the need to send DeJesus packing?
It was to activate outfielder Brian Bogusevic?! There was no other roster room in the inn.
Now, of course Bogusevic costs, at the major league minimum, substantially less than DeJesus, this year and next season.
DeJesus was not doing that great this year, a 1.6 WAR, but even that figure is higher than Bogusevic's negative 0.1 WAR.
So why does a team trade a starter for someone worse than a replacement level player?
To continue to lose games. The Cubs have fallen into the NL Central cellar. That's where management wants to the club to be so it can have a higher draft choice next season. A higher draft choice means a larger amateur bonus signing budget. The Cubs current sag has lifted them to the 4th pick in the 2014 draft. That seems to be the next real cap on Epstein-Hoyer next year, as there is a clear mandate to cut major league payroll in 2014.
UPDATE: GM Hoyer confirms that the DeJesus move was to save money. The Cubs saved $2.5 million (the balance of this year's salary and the buy-out for the 2014 season). Despite all the marketing, the Cubs may still have cash flow issues due to the growing amount of no-shows at Wrigley Field. It also signals that DeJesus was no longer in the Cubs plans for 2014 at a salary of $6.5 million. The bottom line for the rest of the season and into the off season is that the Cubs are trying to save money.
The reason why the Nationals claimed DeJesus is also unclear. He does not fit into their roster very well. The Nats have a set outfield. The team immediately put DeJesus back on waivers so maybe they want to flip him before the playoff rosters are set on August 31st.
