As I posted yesterday, I've always liked Sean Marshall. Seemed like a good clubhouse guy, lefthanded, had talent that eventually found itself in becoming one of the top setup men in baseball the last two years.
I liked him enough to sponsor his Baseball-Reference page -- something I just recently renewed. I'll have to change the blurb there now that Marshall is now a member of the Cincinnati Reds, according to Bruce Levine at ESPN Chicago:
The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a trade in principle that will send pitcher Travis Wood and two minor-leaguers to the Cubs for left-handed reliever Sean Marshall, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The deal is pending physicals that have to be taken by all four players.
We don't yet know who the two minor leaguers are and probably won't until this deal is announced by press release from the Cubs. As I wrote Tuesday night, a one-for-one deal wasn't enough of a return for Marshall, but getting two minor leaguers in return makes it more equitable. Obviously, we won't be able to judge until we find out who those minor leaguers are.
This is the first truly significant deal made by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer -- I'd consider the Ian Stewart deal more "minor". It leaves a hole in the Cubs bullpen, but conceivably could strengthen the rotation, and gives the Cubs some salary relief, as Marshall was in line to earn $3.1 million this season, while Wood will be near the MLB minimum And except when he's pitching against the Cubs, I wish Marshall well.
I'll update this post when the deal is officially announced.