It is simple to see why the Cubs front office does some things, but at times they are living in the past.
For example, the Cubs today claimed pitcher Daniel Bard off waivers from the Red Sox.
Bard,
a 28-year-old right-handed reliever and onetime starter, was a dominant
late-inning pitcher between 2009 and 2011, but he has had issues with his
confidence and injuries that have derailed his career in Boston. He pitched in
only two games for the Red Sox this season before he was sent to the
minors. So he is another perfect pick up for the Cubs. The
move reunites Bard with Theo Epstein, the general manager who drafted
him. Epstein is now the Cubs president of baseball operations.
To
make room for Bard on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated outfielder
Cole Gillespie for assignment. Also on Wednesday, the Cubs selected
the contract of reliever Chang-Yong Lim from Triple-A Iowa, while
designating pitcher Michael Bowden for assignment, his second release of the season.
Selected by the Red Sox in the first round (28th overall) of the 2006
draft, Bard struggled in three minor league stops
this season, pitching just 16 games which he compiled an ERA of 6.46 and 2.674 WHIP.
Bard set club records for holds in both 2010
and 2011 with 32 and 34, respectively. His 79 career holds from 2009-11
were the most ever by a major leaguer in his first 192 appearances.
The Red Sox made Bard a starter before the 2012 season, but he struggled, going 4-6 with a 5.30 ERA in 10 starts.
This pick up makes little sense, considering in 34 major league games, Bowden was 1-3, 4.30 ERA and 1.248 WHIP.
