Just after Friday's game ended, the Cubs announced the following deal:
#Cubs acquire LHP Clayton Richard from Pirates for cash consideration
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 3, 2015
Richard will start Saturday for #Cubs. Roach optioned to Iowa
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 3, 2015
Richard was the eighth-round pick of the White Sox in 2005 and has pitched for them as well as the Padres -- he was one of several players sent to San Diego for Jake Peavy in July 2009. So I guess if the Cubs never will have Peavy, they'll go for someone who was traded for him.
Richard, who will be 32 in September, hasn't pitched in the major leagues since 2013. He had pretty good years for the Padres in 2010 and 2012, but spent 2014 in the Diamondbacks' minor leagues and was at Triple-A Indianapolis for the Pirates this year, where he posted a 2.09 ERA and 1.179 WHIP in nine starts, but with only 25 strikeouts in 56 innings. Sounds like a somewhat older, lefthanded version of Donn Roach, actually.
Have at it for this deal. Friday's game recap will follow soon.