Bleed Cubbie Blue - 2014 Chicago Cubs Trades And RumorsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2014-08-15T07:30:04-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/49809252014-08-15T07:30:04-05:002014-08-15T07:30:04-05:00Cubs Trade Brett Jackson To Diamondbacks
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6XYKxQc9CkugoudYocIgduGv6BQ=/0x280:3122x2361/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36973144/20120929_lbm_as8_612.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Another former first-round draft pick, gone.</p> <p>The first question I had when I heard about <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/chc/cubs-deal-former-first-round-pick-brett-jackson-to-d-backs?ymd=20140815&content_id=89722880&vkey=news_chc" target="_blank">the Cubs' trade of Brett Jackson to the Diamondbacks</a> was: "What are Theo and Jed doing up making deals in the middle of the night?"</p>
<p>I mean, look at the time stamp on Carrie Muskat's article, linked above! Can't they make these trades when most people (writers included) aren't sleeping?</p>
<p>I'm kidding, of course. Here's the scoop on Blake Cooper, a righthanded pitcher acquired from Arizona in exchange for Jackson:</p>
<blockquote>
<pre>Cooper, 26, was 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA in 41 relief appearances combined for Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno this year. He was named to the 2014 Southern League All-Star team, posting a 1.85 ERA in 24 games with Mobile. However, Cooper had a 6.00 ERA in 17 games at Reno, giving up 16 earned runs on 25 hits and 17 walks over 24 innings. A 12th-round pick in 2010, Cooper is 16-15 with 16 saves and a 3.27 ERA in five Minor League seasons.</pre>
</blockquote>
<p>This is Cooper's fifth year in the D'backs organization, but 2014 is the first time he's pitched above Double-A, and not well, as noted above. He probably doesn't have much, if any, major-league future, but then again, neither did Jackson after yet another failed Triple-A season, where he hit .210/.298/.348 with five home runs in 224 at-bats. He also struck out 94 times. It was nearly identical to his 2013 season.</p>
<p>I'm really not sure what happened to Jackson. Despite striking out a lot, he had good years his first three seasons in the organization, hitting for power and drawing lots of walks. But his batting average and walk rate declined in 2012, even as the team gave him some big-league time at the end of the year. The result was the same: a fair number of walks, producing a .303 OBP even with a .175 BA, and four home runs in 120 at-bats, but with a K in almost half (59) of those AB. That is, so far, Jackson's only big-league experience.</p>
<p>Perhaps the change of scenery will do him good; it's still possible he could make it as a fourth or fifth outfielder for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>. It's a big fall, though, from being ranked in many preseason Top-100 prospect lists, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=jackso003bre" target="_blank">as shown on his bb-ref minor-league page</a>. I wish him well, and perhaps Blake Cooper will also benefit from being in a new organization and pitch in the big leagues for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> at some point.</p>
<p>Finally, the trade now means that no Cubs No. 1 draft pick from 2002-2010 is still with the organization. None of the No. 1 Cubs picks from 2002-05 ever played in the major leagues, and Jackson was the last No. 1 pick from 2006-10 still in the organization. The Cubs do have <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> as a product of one of those picks, 2008 No. 1 choice <span>Andrew Cashner</span>. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?query_type=franch_round&team_ID=CHC&draft_round=1&draft_type=junreg&" target="_blank">Here's a list of all No. 1 picks in Cubs history</a>; it's not for the faint of heart.</p>
<p>We are, of course, hoping that the choices from 2011 (<span>Javier Baez</span>) and onward will be more productive.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/8/15/6005439/cubs-trade-brett-jackson-diamondbacksAl Yellon2014-08-09T08:00:08-05:002014-08-09T08:00:08-05:00Evaluating The Cubs' 2014 Transactions
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eMnp0BR_ZPXjCo4DB_m1n2sw2S8=/0x40:4000x2707/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36592984/453235700.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Doug Pensinger</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Looking back on what the Cubs did over the past couple of months to provide pieces for the future.</p> <p>With <span>Javier Baez</span>-mania settling down a bit as we all realize that Javy is here to stay, I think it's useful to take a look back at the moves the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cubs</a> have made thus far this summer. While we all enjoy looking forward and have been well trained to hope for the future, the past offers lots of information. With that said, let's look at the five primary transactional moves made by the Cubs since the beginning of June. I'm not looking at promotions or demotions; I'm looking at transactions that resulted in players being added to or subtracted from the system.</p>
<p><b>June 3, 2014: Chicago Cubs designate relief pitcher <span>Jose Veras</span> for assignment</b><br>This will strike many folks as bizarre, but the Veras DFA just might get my vote for the worst move of the Epstein/Hoyer tenure. Veras was reasonably sought after following a productive 2013, and the Cubs secured his services for $3.85 million in 2014 as well as a $5.5 million 2015 club option with a $150,000 buyout. Veras was absolutely horrific in April: over six appearances, he blew both of his save chances, allowing 10 runs (all earned) over just 5.2 innings by issuing 10 walks and allowing two home runs, good for a 12.84 FIP. Wowzers.</p>
<p>As bad as Veras was in April, he was as good in May. Over six appearances in admittedly low-key situations, Veras threw 7.2 innings, allowing six hits, one walk, and two runs while striking out eight en route to a 1.44 FIP. Then, on June 3rd, the club dropped the hammer, pulling the plug on the failed closer. Since signing with Houston, Veras has made 15 appearances, spanning 13.1 innings with a very Veras-like 3.89 FIP. Walks remain a problem (4.73/9), but both his strikeout rate (8.10 K/9) and home run rate (0.68 HR/9) have returned to normal levels.</p>
<p>Veras wasn't going to bring back a star-level prospect at the deadline. But had he pitched at his post-April level for the Cubs in May, June, and July, the Cubs could have foisted off nearly $1.5 million of his salary on a contender at the very least, likely bringing in a flyer-type prospect in the process. Simply punting on Veras was a bad move from an efficiency standpoint. Perhaps Rick Renteria lost faith in Veras (I think we all did). Perhaps there was a clubhouse issue. Perhaps <span>Justin Grimm</span>, <span>Neil Ramirez</span>, and <span>Hector Rondon</span> crowded Veras out of any useful role. I don't know that kind of information. I do know that swallowing that cash and getting nothing in return is horribly inefficient.</p>
<p><b>July 5, 2014: Chicago Cubs trade starting pitchers <span>Jeff Samardzija</span> and <span>Jason Hammel</span> to <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> for shortsop <span>Addison Russell</span>, starting pitcher <span>Dan Straily</span>, and outfielder <span>Billy McKinney</span></b><br>I'm not going to analyze this move in this post, having already done so <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/7/8/5877223/jeff-samardzija-jason-hammel-cubs-athletics-trade-analysis">here</a>. This was a good move at the time, and with Hammel flailing horribly in Oakland, it sure seems like the Cubs flipped the pumpkin at 11:59 p.m. I hope Hammel improves; he seemed like a good dude.</p>
<p>Anyway, Straily has hurled back-to-back dominant outings while McKinney is hitting for great average, drawing tons of walks, limiting strikeouts, and showing decent power.</p>
<p>Still, it's all about Russell. I threw this trade in here to make a shameless plug: if you haven't watched Addison Russell play baseball yet, do it! Buy an MiLB.tv subscription for the rest of the season (you can get MLB.tv Premium for $50 the rest of the way and you can likely tack on MiLB.tv for a few bucks more at this point). Russell's bat speed is ridiculous, but he's also got the discipline of a seriously advanced hitter. His swing plane is so direct that it's difficult to get him truly off-balance for a swing. His range is absurd; he covers the 5.5 hole like <span>Nolan Arenado</span> even though he's coming from the more difficult spot. It's sublime watching Russell in the field as his actions are fluid, his arm is big, and he's a very good athlete. Watch Addison Russell!</p>
<p><b>July 28, 2014: Chicago Cubs trade second baseman <span>Darwin Barney</span> to <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> for a player to be named later (Low-A starting pitcher Jonathan Martinez)</b><br>Look, lots of folks love Darwin. I just wasn't in the camp. It's not his fault: he's an ace with the glove. He's just got no stick. I've got a spreadsheet that tracks organizational spending back to 2007 in four categories (40-man roster, draft bonuses, international bonuses/contracts, and dead money) as well as projecting payrolls into the future. I didn't even include Barney on my 2015 list. He figures to cost around $3 million next year, and given the presence of Baez, <span>Arismendy Alcantara</span>, , <span>Starlin Castro</span>, <span>Kris Bryant</span>, <span>Mike Olt</span>, and possibly <span>Luis Valbuena</span> and Addison Russell all occupying infield jobs, the writing was on the wall. Everyone knew this. <i>Everyone</i>, including the Dodgers. Well, the Cubs still unloaded $500,000 of the roughly $800,000 that they still owed Barney and secured a flyer-type pitching prospect for him. Martinez faces very long odds to make the Major Leagues, but we're talking about a legitimate prospect, not some 41st-round pick (woo hoo, <span>Dallas Beeler</span>! I do think Beeler is a real MLB pitcher, by the way). Martinez is the kind of name to file away in the back of your mind so you're not surprised when he's pitching well for Tennessee in 2016. There's nothing terribly sexy about a fastball around 90-91 with some mediocre offspeed stuff, but a 1.54 BB/9 in full-season ball should grab your attention. There's enough here to make you squint enough to see a real arm.</p>
<p>Regardless, Martinez has <i>some</i> value to the Cubs while Barney no longer did. Getting a nickel for free sure beats the heck out of being empty-handed.</p>
<p><b>July 30, 2014: <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a> trade starting pitcher <span>Felix Doubront</span> to Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later</b><br>I don't like trading away PTBNLs because I prefer certainty and hate debt. Based on the timing of this PTBNL fulfillment, it is likely that Boston will acquire a player that the Cubs leave unprotected in November's Rule 5 draft who goes unselected by another team. Immediately, many of us thought of Daytona double-play combination <span>Marco Hernandez</span> and Gioskar Amaya. Regardless, if the traded player is one that the Cubs don't feel a need to protect in the Rule 5 draft, the price can't be too high.</p>
<p>As for Doubront, well, props to my brother for wondering if we'd target him just a few days before the trade was completed. That's about all I can say. Velocity drop? Check. Clubhouse distraction? Check. Problems with the long ball? Check. Scary high walk rate? Check. Doubront was solid in 2012 and quite good in 2013. I'm just not a believer as the red flags are too scary. He's worth a seven month flyer, but I won't be stunned if he finds himself out of work next March. It's till a good move; Doubront's just not my kind of guy. Hopefully he <i>is</i> Chris Bosio's type.</p>
<p><b>July 31, 2014: Chicago Cubs trade utility player <span>Emilio Bonifacio</span> and relief pitcher <span>James Russell</span> to <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a> for catcher <span>Victor Caratini</span></b><br>What can I say? I've had a thing for Caratini for a while now. During July, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chatsports.com/chicago-cubs/a/Tradeable-Cubs-Luis-Valbuena-2-10074813">I thought that the Cubs could send Valbuena to Atlanta in a Caratini deal</a> or even <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chatsports.com/chicago-cubs/a/Tradeable-Cubs-Fun-With-Proposals-2-10152833">send an outfielder (Justin Ruggiano) and a lefty reliever (Wesley Wright) to the Braves for the switch-hitting catcher</a>. Needless to say, I'm a pretty huge Caratini fan. I think he's got the stick to hit at the highest level and he's got the athleticism to make the catching gig work, even if it takes a few years.</p>
<p>Russell had become largely a no-split reliever with middling results while Bonifacio is an impending free agent who primarily played the positions of the top two youngsters on the big club. Getting a legitimate prospect for those pieces is a really nice haul.</p>
<p><b>Closing Thoughts<br></b>It may have surprised some folks that the Cubs moved Samardzija, Hammel, Barney, Bonifacio, and Russell, yet only netted two pitchers, Straily and Martinez. This is the kind of thing that should have people really excited about the aptitude of the current regime. In my mind, I always go back to the <span>Milton Bradley</span> transaction. Jim Hendry repeatedly stated a desire to "get more left-handed." The goal should never be to acquire more players of a particular handedness, height, complexion, etc. The goal should be to acquire as much talent as possible. Some folks will bring the handedness issue up again this winter, suggesting that the Cubs need to add a left-handed starting pitcher. That's just false. They need to add a big-time starter or two. Contracts aside, would you rather have Jorge de la Rosa, a real lefty, or <span>Max Scherzer</span>? Duh. Take the talent. Talent gets outs, not handedness.</p>
<p>Caratini and Russell both represent the forward-thinking nature of the front office. In the future, the best currency to have will be talent, not a particular type of talent.</p>
<p>That doesn't mean positional considerations evaporate entirely. I'm sure that the Cubs were more interested in finding a catcher with a strong bat than they were in finding another big first baseman. That makes sense. It's really, really hard to find competent catching. That's part of the reason I was so fond of Caratini, and I'm confident it's a big part of the reason that the regime pulled the trigger on the deal for him.</p>
<p>I want to make one final point: the Caratini acquisition injected a much-needed <i>bat</i> into the lower levels of the system. We've heard ad nauseam about the team's need for starting pitching next year. That's true. We've also heard that the Cubs have tons of offensive talent on the way. That's also true.</p>
<p>But in the lower levels, the roles are largely reversed. Among the Kane County and Boise rosters, only Caratini, <span>Jeimer Candelario</span>, Jeffrey Baez, Mark Zagunis, and Mark Malave offer much reasonable projection as position players. But on the mound? Martinez, Paul Blackburn, <span>Jen-Ho Tseng</span>, Duane Underwood, Daury Torrez, Trevor Clifton, Ryan McNeil, Josh Conway, and James Norwood all offer genuine excitement. Daytona exists as something of a middle ground with tons of interesting bats (Kyle Schwarber, McKinney, <span>Jake Hannemann</span>, <span>Dan Vogelbach</span>, Hernandez, and Amaya) complemented by a group of interesting arms (Rob Zastryzny, Tyler Skulina, Juan Paniagua, and possibly even <span>Gerardo Concepcion</span>). And even though the Rookie League club features big-time prospects in Eloy Jimenez and Gleyber Torres, the pitching easily comes across as more interesting with Carson Sands, Jake Stinnett, Justin Steele, and Jeferson Mejia all in the fold.</p>
<p>The point is this: if there's going to be another wave of offensive talent to follow the current wave, the Cubs needed to find another big bat or two. Caratini fits the bill.</p>
<p>With the exception of the bizarre Jose Veras release, Cubs fans should be pleased with the efforts of the front office to add impact talent and strong depth to the franchise. As we begin to reap the rewards of our impactful system, sometimes it's nice to look back at the types of moves that should keeps us among baseball's best once we arrive in the upper echelon.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/8/9/5974977/2014-cubs-trades-transactionsRob Huff2014-08-08T12:55:01-05:002014-08-08T12:55:01-05:00Cubs Acquire Jacob Turner From Marlins
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/F8dBf62HKr9Tr3dZKq7nnAeHRbM=/0x200:2857x2105/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36644234/20140803_kkt_su8_019.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cubs acquired the former top prospect for two minor league ptichers</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cubs</a> today acquired pitcher <span>Jacob Turner</span> from the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Marlins</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/497798233549467648" target="_blank">two as yet unnamed minor league pitchers</a>. The two<a href="https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/497800685044641792" target="_blank"> are not expected to be prospects.</a> Turner was traded to the Cubs after the Marlins had designated him for assignment earlier in the week.</p>
<p>Turner was the ninth overall pick in the 2009 draft by the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a>. He was considered the top high school pitcher in the draft and maybe even the third overall pick (behind <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> and <span>Dustin Ackley</span>), but his large bonus demands scared several teams off and he was the third high school pitcher taken and the sixth overall pitcher. The Tigers signed him to a major league deal worth a total of $5.5 million. The Marlins would later pay for this folly, as because of that major league deal Turner is now out of options.</p>
<p>Turner instantly became the top prospect in the Tigers system and would be for the next three seasons. He had a plus fastball that sat at 92-94 and he could rev it up to 97 mph on occasion. His curveball was projected to be a plus pitch and his change up projected out to be at least average. With two plus pitches and a solid third, Turner was projected out to be a number two starter in the majors, or at worst a number three if one of those two off speed pitches failed to develop as hoped.</p>
<p>You can probably guess where this is going. He cruised through both levels of A ball in 2010 and in 2011 was pitching well at Double-A Erie when he got a call up to Detroit to make one start against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a>. He acquitted himself well and when he was demoted, he went to Triple-A Toledo. He battled some minor arm and shoulder problems late in 2011 and the Tigers limited his innings the rest of the way, although he didn't miss any significant time. His minor league numbers in 2011 were good, but not great like you would expect from a top prospect. He got a major league call up in September of 2011 because, hey, he's on a major league contract anyway. But the Tigers were in a pennant race (so to speak, they had a huge lead on Cleveland) so he only made two starts and one came after the Tigers had clinched. He got hammered in both starts.</p>
<p>In 2012, Turner was expected to start the season in the Tigers rotation, but he missed most of Spring Training and the first few weeks of April with shoulder tendonitis. When he came back, he was sent to Toledo where he was plagued with inconsistency. Those off-speed pitches that the scouts thought were potential plus pitches never lived up to their potential. His superficial ERA in Toledo in 2012 was a solid 3.16. But without a second plus pitch, Turner's strikeout numbers were dropping. He walked too many batters. He was becoming a ground ball pitcher.</p>
<p>Still, everyone thought he could still be a solid mid-rotation pitcher and he was traded in July of 2012 to Miami as part of the <span>Anibal Sanchez</span> trade. He pitched well for the Marlins down the stretch in 2012 and it looked like the Marlins had made a smart acquisition.</p>
<p>He opened the 2013 season in Triple-A and struggled. He was recalled to Miami at the end of May and again, his superficial stats were good: a 3.74 ERA. But he was only striking out 5.9 batters per nine innings and he was walking 4.1. His FIP was 4.47. That's not a good combination for long-term success.</p>
<p>This season, Turner's luck ran out. He has struggled badly at the major league level. He's cut the walks down quite a bit, but he still doesn't seem to have developed an out pitch that can put hitters away. The Marlins designated him for assignment after posting a 4-7 record with a 5.97 ERA in 12 starts and eight relief appearances.</p>
<p>But the underlying numbers show some improvement. Strikeouts are up. His fastball velocity is holding steady. The walks are down. Although his ERA is high, much of that can be explained by a very high .368 BABIP. His FIP this season is down to a not-embarrassing 4.01. Much of his failure this season could be explained to bad luck.</p>
<p>Obviously, the Cubs see Turner as a reclamation project similar to Jake Arrieta. He still doesn't profile as a top starter unless he cam somehow develop another plus pitch. Not likely, but possible. He's only been pitching professionally for 3 1/2 years. He's still only 23. Another option is to move him to the bullpen where he could just rely on his fastball a lot more. That would be the route taken by <span>Andrew Miller</span>, another former top Tigers prospect traded to the Marlins where he disappointed.</p>
<p>Turner is a low-risk gamble that could pay off big. It's not very likely to pay off, but if it doesn't, then the Cubs just haven't lost much.</p>
<p><b>Update</b>: The pitchers have been named</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Pitchers Tyler Bremer and Jose Arias go to Marlins for Jacob Turner</p>
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNChiCubs/statuses/497804867826900993">August 8, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><span>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</span></p>
<p>We wish Arias and Bremer the best of luck with the Marlins.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/8/8/5980057/cubs-acquire-jacob-turner-marlinsJosh Timmers2014-08-04T12:00:06-05:002014-08-04T12:00:06-05:00A Primer For August Waiver Trades
<figure>
<img alt="If only it were as easy as "Here, he's yours," when it comes to trading Edwin Jackson" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/x3vD_HBDiYQa-yG2RRRPX6Obn5U=/90x0:3906x2544/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36480280/451236788.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>If only it were as easy as "Here, he's yours," when it comes to trading Edwin Jackson | Brian Kersey</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>You know that trades can be made after July 31 by acquiring waivers on players. How is this done? The explanation is below.</p> <p>Though the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline has passed, teams can -- and some surely will -- make deals through August 31 (the deadline for placing players on postseason rosters) or even in September (to get help they might not be able to get otherwise).</p>
<p>"Non-waiver" is the key to all of this; waivers must be obtained on players that teams wish to trade. Waivers can be requested on players throughout the season; these types of waivers are described in the table below, which is courtesy of <a href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2014/8/2/5955447/major-league-waivers-explainer" target="_blank">this excellent explainer</a> from our SB Nation <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a> site, <a href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com" target="_blank">Bluebird Banter</a>. The waivers required for deals made past July 31 are "Trade Assignment Waivers":</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="640">
<tbody>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.4pt;">
<td height="19" class="xl66" width="72" style="height: 14.4pt; width: 50pt;"><b>Type</b></td>
<td class="xl66" width="145" style="width: 105pt;"><b>Function</b></td>
<td class="xl66" width="59" style="width: 40pt;"><b>Revocable?</b></td>
<td class="xl66" width="40" style="width: 26pt;"><b>Price</b></td>
<td class="xl66" width="112" style="width: 80pt;"><b>Periods Available</b></td>
<td class="xl66" width="99" style="width: 70pt;"><b>Period Effective</b></td>
<td class="xl66" width="150" style="width: 108pt;"><b>Ineligible Players</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="96" style="mso-height-source: userset; height: 72.0pt;">
<td height="96" class="xl66" width="72" style="height: 72.0pt; width: 50pt;"><i><b>Trade Assignment Waivers</b></i></td>
<td class="xl66" width="145" style="width: 105pt;">To assign a player on the 40-man roster of one MLB club to the 40-man roster of another MLB club.</td>
<td class="xl66" width="59" style="width: 40pt;">Y*</td>
<td class="xl67" width="40" style="width: 26pt;">$20,000</td>
<td class="xl66" width="112" style="width: 80pt;">3 pm CT July 31 through the last day of the season</td>
<td class="xl66" width="99" style="width: 70pt;">Rest of period</td>
<td class="xl66" width="150" style="width: 108pt;">Disabled†, Military, Ineligible, Voluntarily Retired, Bereavement, Restricted, Suspended, or Disqualified Lists</td>
</tr>
<tr height="115" style="height: 86.4pt;">
<td height="115" class="xl66" width="72" style="height: 86.4pt; width: 50pt;"><i><b>Outright Waivers</b></i></td>
<td class="xl66" width="145" style="width: 105pt;">To remove a player from the 40-man roster and assign him to a minor league club.</td>
<td class="xl66" width="59" style="width: 40pt;">N</td>
<td class="xl67" width="40" style="width: 26pt;">$20,000</td>
<td class="xl66" width="112" style="width: 80pt;">(1) Nov 11 - Feb 15<br> (2) Feb 16 - 30th day of the season<br> (3) 31st day - 7/31<br> (4) Aug 1 - Aug 31<br> (5) Sept 1 - Nov 10</td>
<td class="xl66" width="99" style="width: 70pt;">(1,2,5) Rest of period or 7 days (whichever is first)<br> (3,4) Rest of period</td>
<td class="xl66" width="150" style="width: 108pt;">Disabled†, Military, Ineligible, Voluntarily Retired, Bereavement, Restricted, Suspended, or Disqualified Lists</td>
</tr>
<tr height="115" style="height: 86.4pt;">
<td height="115" class="xl66" width="72" style="height: 86.4pt; width: 50pt;"><i><b>Optional Waivers</b></i></td>
<td class="xl66" width="145" style="width: 105pt;">To assign a player to an optional assignment in the minor leagues (without being removed from 40-man roster).</td>
<td class="xl66" width="59" style="width: 40pt;">Y*</td>
<td class="xl67" width="40" style="width: 26pt;">$20,000</td>
<td class="xl66" width="112" style="width: 80pt;">(1) Feb 16 - 30th day of season<br> (2) 31st day - 7/31<br> (3) Aug 1 - Oct 1</td>
<td class="xl66" width="99" style="width: 70pt;">Rest of period</td>
<td class="xl66" width="150" style="width: 108pt;">Players on lists above†, plus ones who are less than three years removed from the date of first reporting to an MLB team (optional waivers not required).</td>
</tr>
<tr height="96" style="height: 72.0pt;">
<td height="96" class="xl66" width="72" style="height: 72.0pt; width: 50pt;"><b><i>Unconditional Release Waivers</i></b></td>
<td class="xl66" width="145" style="width: 105pt;">To terminate the relationship between an MLB player and the club and make him a free agent.</td>
<td class="xl66" width="59" style="width: 40pt;">N</td>
<td class="xl67" width="40" style="width: 26pt;">$1</td>
<td class="xl66" width="112" style="width: 80pt;">All times</td>
<td class="xl66" width="99" style="width: 70pt;">Immediate</td>
<td class="xl66" width="150" style="width: 108pt;">Military List, Ineligible List</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<em><p><font size="2">* When a player that was previously pulled back from revocable waivers is placed on the same type of waivers during the same waiver period, that waiver request becomes irrevocable. That is, a player who is placed on waivers may only be pulled back once.</font></p>
<p><font size="2">† Outright, optional, and trade assignment waivers can be obtained for players on the disabled list only if: a) the minimum period of inactivity (15 or 60 days) has elapsed; b) the assigning club guarantees the player is well enough to play.</font></p></em>
<p>So if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> wish to trade, say, <span>Nate Schierholtz</span> or <span>Edwin Jackson</span>, or anyone else on the team, here's the procedure they must follow, also from the Bluebird Banter article:</p>
<blockquote><pre><ol>
<li> Club registers a request for waivers with the Office of the Commissioner
</li>
<li> Notice of waiver request is given out on a private channel to all major league clubs
</li>
<li> Other clubs have two days to submit a claim
</li>
<li> If a club claims a player on revocable waivers, the Commissioner will automatically revoke the waiver request unless the club notifies his office that they do not wish a withdrawal.
</li>
<li> If there is no claim, the after two days, the player "clears" waivers and can be assigned or released. If there is a claim, the player is granted to the team with the highest claiming priority.
</li>
</ol></pre></blockquote>
<p>"Highest claiming priority" for August trades goes first to teams with the worst records, in reverse order, in the trading team's league, and then to the other league. As noted in the Bluebird Banter post, this is why you see more intraleague deals after July 31 than interleague swaps.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>A reminder, this means that just because you hear a player has been "waived," it doesn't mean that player is going to be traded. As noted above, this is supposed to be on a "private channel" -- but often, that "private" word goes public, and Twitter comes alive with breathless "Soandso has been waived!" tweets, which mean virtually nothing. There's a reason these types of waivers are called "revocable" -- it means, as shown, that those waivers can be revoked unless the team in question says to the claiming team, "Here, he's yours," as happened August 10, 2009, when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> claimed <span>Alex Rios</span> from the Blue Jays and Toronto simply let the Sox have his contract.</p>
<p>"Assigned" as stated in the procedure above means, effectively, the waiving team can then trade the player ("assign his contract" is the official language used) since he has cleared waivers.</p>
<p>Thanks again to Bluebird Banter for the table and the explanation. Hope this makes it easier for you to understand how trades go down in August.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/8/4/5967291/august-waiver-tradesAl Yellon2014-07-31T18:15:37-05:002014-07-31T18:15:37-05:00Who'll Replace Russell & Bonifacio On The 25-Man?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/J8uln2eTPqfTrgsw_xmIOTfwFyw=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36344474/20140308_ajw_aa9_496.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Well, it's a reasonable question that could have more than one answer.</p> <p>Anything happen in baseball while I was at Wrigley Field Thursday afternoon?</p>
<p>In the recent past, deadline-day deals have been relatively dull. This year? Kind of like you'd have had in your fantasy league, probably. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> were satisfied to make a trade that, in the long run, is somewhat minor: <span>James Russell</span> and <span>Emilio Bonifacio</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> for their second-round 2013 pick, Victor Caratini.</p>
<p>Before I move on to some personal thoughts on this deal and answering the question I posed in the headline, <a href="http://rotoscouting.com/victor-caratini-scouting-report-2014/" target="_blank">here's a scouting report on Caratini</a> (courtesy Chris Blessing, <a href="https://twitter.com/C_Blessing/status/494945191158366208" target="_blank">who tweeted it at me this afternoon</a>). Looks good to me, and <a href="http://www.gondeee.com/2014/07/17/braves-2014-mid-season-top-25-prospects/" target="_blank">Chop County</a>, run by former SB Nation Braves blogger Martin Gandy, had Caratini ranked as their No. 8 Braves prospect at midseason.</p>
<p>That's about the best you could expect to get from Russell, who's been up and down this year and had probably outlived his usefulness in the Cubs bullpen, and Bonifacio, who was having what for him was a typical midseason swoon. Bonifacio is a versatile utility player, but nothing more than that, really, and his purpose on the 2014 Cubs was to play well enough to bring something back in trade. (Yes, likely signed to be flipped, for whatever that's worth.) That, he did.</p>
<p>Now the question turns to this: who replaces these two on both the 25-man and 40-man rosters?</p>
<p>I currently count 38 players on the 40-man roster, so the Cubs could conceivably add players from the system to the 40-man and promote them onto the 25-man roster. One of them, apparently, <i>won't</i> be <span>Javier Baez</span>:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash">#Cubs</a> GM Hoyer says Bonifacio trade doesn't change timetable for Javier Baez. They will discuss later today who comes up</p>
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/statuses/494951966452105218">July 31, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>That comment is somewhat noncommittal. The Cubs <i>could</i> promote Baez, put him at second base, and put <span>Arismendy Alcantara</span> in center field for the rest of the year, with <span>Junior Lake</span> moving into a left-field platoon with <span>Chris Coghlan</span>.</p>
<p>Or, they could just call up <span>Logan Watkins</span>, who's already on the 40-man roster, and take a look at him in a super-utility role, kind of what Bonifacio was doing. Watkins has played everywhere except pitcher and catcher this year, and it would certainly be worth finding out if he could be a major-league utility player. That would, of course, mean that Rick Renteria would actually have to give Watkins playing time, something Dale Sveum didn't last year.</p>
<p>Now, to the second spot.</p>
<p>If the team wants to keep eight relievers, they'll bring a pitcher on the trip to Los Angeles. It could be <span>Zac Rosscup</span>, who's now been down at Iowa for 10 days, meaning he's eligible for recall. It also could mean the activation of <span>Kyuji Fujikawa</span>, who's made 11 rehab appearances, pitched pretty well, and has to be almost out of time on rehab assignment. Fujikawa is currently on the 60-day disabled list, so he'd take up one of the 40-man spots if activated. It would probably be worth doing, if only to see if it's worth keeping Fujikawa in 2015. With <span>Chris Rusin</span> currently in the Cubs' bullpen along with <span>Wesley Wright</span>, they'd still have two lefthanders.</p>
<p>Or...</p>
<p>Could the Cubs be considering promoting <span>Jorge Soler</span>? We've talked about Soler's unusual contract status and his 40-man roster status, both of which would seem to make a recall possible, if not likely. Soler has not played much this year due to injuries, but he has been crushing the ball since he started playing: .393/.485/.794 in 130 plate appearances split between rookie ball, Double-A and Triple-A, with nine home runs.</p>
<p>At some point the Cubs are going to have to find out about Soler. Why not now? Bring him up and put him in right field. Watkins could come too; <span>Nate Schierholtz</span> is pretty much past his sell-by date and could be designated for assignment to make room for both Soler and Watkins.</p>
<p>Finally, I wanted to thank Josh for all his hard work in keeping everything up-to-date here while I was at Thursday afternoon's game. He did leave off a poll on the trade on his post announcing the swap, so I've put it here. Vote in the poll, and leave your thoughts on who'll be new additions to the Cubs' 25-man roster for the Dodger series, in the comments.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/7/31/5957441/james-russell-emilio-bonifacio-replacements-cubs-tradeAl Yellon2014-07-31T15:54:35-05:002014-07-31T15:54:35-05:00Russell, Bonifacio Traded To Braves
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XBsn24Q9VTjd50xScKdQgKH9G7U=/0x79:4000x2746/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36341298/452983640.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brian Kersey</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cubs made one move at the deadline, trading two players for a catching prospect.</p> <p>The news came about 20 minutes after the trade deadline passed, but it did come:</p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Source: Russell and Bonifacio to Atlanta.</p>— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) <a href="https://twitter.com/GDubCub/statuses/494941395040632832">July 31, 2014</a>
</blockquote></span></p>
<p><span><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p>And there were many hugs in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> bullpen and dugout as <span>James Russell</span> and <span>Emilio Bonifacio</span> said goodbye to their teammates.</p>
<p>Russell was a 14th-round pick of the Cubs back in 2007. He was a starting pitcher throughout most of his minor league career. He made it to the majors to open the 2010 season and spent the whole season in the bullpen. Mike Quade made moved him into the starting rotation in 2011 to mostly disastrous results. He returned to the pen after five starts and has been there ever since as lefty set-up man to mostly good results. His career line with the Cubs was 10-16 with a 3.87 ERA and three saves in 316 appearances. He was the longest-tenured Cub before being dealt to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>.</p>
<p>Bonifacio is an eight-year major league veteran whom the Cubs picked up when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> released him in spring training. Despite missing considerable time with an injury, Bonifacio had a sold .279/.318/.373 line with 14 steals.</p>
<p>In return, the Cubs received minor league catcher Victor Caratini, 20 years old, who was listed as the Braves no. 6 prospect in the <i>Baseball America</i> mid-season update. Caratini was a second-round pick out of a junior college last season. This season playing for Rome in the South Atlantic League (The equivalent of Kane County), he has hit .279/.352/406 with five home runs in 365 plate appearances.</p>
<p>This is Caratini's first full season behind the plate, as he was primarily a third baseman in college. In their preseason guide, <i>Baseball America</i> wrote:</p>
<blockquote>Caratini is an advanced hitter with a line-drive swing, a gap-to-gap approach from both sides of the plate and an excellent feel for the strike zone.</blockquote>
<p>Sounds like someone Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer would want. Especially if they think he can stick at catcher, where the Cubs system is considered weak.</p>
<p>So we welcome Caratini to the Cubs and we wish Russell and Bonifacio all the best in Atlanta.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/7/31/5956877/james-russell-emilio-bonifacio-traded-to-bravesJosh Timmers2014-07-31T09:00:07-05:002014-07-31T09:00:07-05:002014 MLB Trade Deadline Open Thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Mr4ZRFa_bbRXEOYKNqombaYKCdI=/0x330:2673x2112/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36306578/20140609_lbm_al8_007.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This thread is for exactly what the headline says: discussion of trade possibilities, and actual deals, on deadline day.</p> <p>The non-waiver trade deadline comes up at 3 p.m. Thursday, six hours after the time this thread posts. That gives you all six hours (six-plus, really, because some trades could be announced after the deadline) to discuss rumors and actual deals that happen. There's no need to limit discussion to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> trades and rumors, either; feel free to use this thread for any trades that happen at all today.</p>
<p>For the Cubs, obviously <span>Emilio Bonifacio</span> is the prime trade target of many teams, which is why he was held out from Wednesday's lineup (and probably won't play Thursday, either). For his part, Bonifacio <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-trade-deadline-cubs-spt-0731-20140731,0,7903173.story" target="_blank">is taking it all in stride</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<pre>Bonifacio said after the game that his agent, Paul Kinzer, informed him after the game he could be dealt.
"It's not in my hands," Bonifacio said. "I'm just going to come to the field and be a part of the Cubs. It's nothing I can do. Just wait.
"You want to be part of that (a playoff contender), but right now you're still part of the Cubs. I just have to keep pushing for the Cubs."</pre>
</blockquote>
<p>I particularly liked this tweet I spotted Wednesday evening:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>I would really enjoy seeing KC trade something of value for Bonifacio barely more than five months after releasing him.</p>
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) <a href="https://twitter.com/mike_petriello/statuses/494624378382852098">July 30, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> are just one of several teams reportedly in the mix for Bonifacio; the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> have also been mentioned. There has to be a mystery team because... well, there always seem to be mystery teams.</p>
<p>There's certainly going to be some trade action today. This is your place to discuss it. If the Cubs do trade Bonifacio (or anyone else), a separate front-page article will be posted.</p>
<p>Have at it!</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/7/31/5954807/2014-mlb-trade-deadline-open-threadAl Yellon2014-07-30T14:20:49-05:002014-07-30T14:20:49-05:00Cubs Acquire Felix Doubront From Red Sox
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/11bNzPX8PrdihrxE8hV3GcOZI2U=/0x120:4000x2787/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36278412/20140520_ajl_ad7_036.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Guess which team he used to play for?</p> <p>At first, there was just a rumor to spice up your Wednesday afternoon:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> close to acquiring <span>Felix Doubront</span> from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>.</p>
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/statuses/494560674429669376">July 30, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And right after that, this one, apparently making it official:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>doubront goes to cubs <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi">@jonmorosi</a> mentioned 1st</p>
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/statuses/494561656727289856">July 30, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>Theo Epstein must still think he sees something in the lefthander he signed as an amateur free agent in 2005 out of Venezuela.</p>
<p>Doubront has had his moments as part of the Red Sox rotation; overall, though, he's been below-average, posting a career 4.32 ERA, 4.28 FIP and 1.476 WHIP in 98 appearances (69 starts) since 2010. He's been back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen this year (10 stars, seven relief appearances).</p>
<p>He'll turn 27 in October, which is still fairly young. (He's about eight months younger than <span>Travis Wood</span>, for whatever that's worth.) I'll dig out the old saw that "lefthanders sometimes mature later than righthanders," which, admittedly, isn't always backed up by numbers. But I'll say this and I don't think anyone here will contradict me: I'd much rather see Felix Doubront in the Cubs' rotation than <span>Edwin Jackson</span>.</p>
<p>We still don't know what the Cubs are sending to the Red Sox in exchange; I'll update this post when we find out.</p>
<p>Have at it!</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/7/30/5952761/cubs-red-sox-felix-doubront-tradeAl Yellon