The Cubs scored a dozen runs against the Astros for the second day in a row, but it was the news that was announced after the game that is getting the headlines. MLB.com is reporting that the Cubs acquired lefty relief pitcher John Grabow and LHP Tom Gorzellany from the Pirates in exchange for RHP Kevin Hart, RHP Jose Ascasnio, and Infielder Josh Harrison. Kevin Goldstein from Baseball Prospectus reported via Twitter that Cubs top 10 prospect Jay Jackson was also part of the deal, but that apparently is incorrect.
Grabow is more than just a LOOGY. In the past, he has worked as both a set-up man and as a closer (not in the same game). He will likely serve as a middle relief guy for the Cubs. The 30-year old Grabow will become a free agent at the end of the year. He signed for $2.3 million in 2009. He projects to be a Type-A free agent.
Initially, there was some thought that the Cubs were looking for a left-handed reliever who could be used to shut down left handed hitters. If that’s what they were looking for, that’s not what they got. This year, right handed batters are hitting .234 against Grabow while lefties are hitting .275.
Twenty-seven-year old Gorzelanny was a terrific pitcher in 2007 for the Pirates, but kind of fell apart in 2008. Some people have blamed overuse in 2007 for Gorzellany’s poor performance in 2008. Whatever happened, he has seen very little action for the Pirates this year and was pitching for Triple-A Indianapolis when the Cubs acquired him. For Indy, Gorzellany was 4-3 this year with a 2.48 ERA. He’ll report to Iowa for the Cubs and will try to work his way up to Chicago.
The Cubs gave up Kevin Hart, who not only was having a good year, but was having a good game at the time the deal was made. Hart got the win today against the Astros going 6.0 inning, giving up six hits, three earned runs, striking out four and walking two. He found out after the game he had been traded to Pittsburgh. That was a better fate than what happened to the pitcher he faced. Houston pitcher Russ Ortiz gave up nine earned runs in 2.1 innings and was released immediately after the game.
Hendry sold high on Hart, who was 3-1 with the Cubs and was sporting a 2.60 ERA. He has had a good year so far in 2009. In fact, he’s done better than just about anyone expected. That’s why it was smart to trade him now. He’s worth more now than he has ever been and it’s likely he won’t be worth as much as he is now any time in the future.
Jose Ascanio, in my opinion, is a run of the mill right handed reliever. He’s not terrible, but he’s easily replacable.
Josh Harrison is a man without a position at the moment. The Single-A infielder doesn’t have the power to be a third baseman, and he doesn’t have the footwork to be a good middle infielder. Unless things change drastically, Harrison will likely never be more than a utility infielder, a position the Cubs have in spades.
Overall, I really like this trade. Hendry did a good job of getting one piece that the Cubs need now (Grabow) and another piece that, if he returns to form, could help in the future. In exchange, he didn’t give up much that will hurt the team either this year or into the future.
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If you want to see a great defensive play, take a look at the video at this link. Delwyn Young is the player that makes the great barehanded catch. The ump made the wrong call on the play, but the Pirates got their man any way.
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In other trades of note yesterday and today, the Phillies acquired Cliff Lee and OF Ben Franciso from Cleveland, the Dodgers acquired LHP George Sherrill from Baltimore, and the Giates acquired 2nd basemenFreddy Sanchez from Pittsburgh.
Friday at 4:00 PM ET is the deadline to make trades. Other rumor out there are the Rangers and Dodgers still working on a Roy Halladay trade (Is anyone else besides me surprised that the Rangers are in this conversation?), the Red Sox are trying to find a way to land Adrian Gonzalez, the Yankees are looking at the Royals Brian Bannister, and the Giants are kicking the tires on Mark Teahan.
