Cubs Trade Overview

A look at the Cubs after the trade deadline

By Tony Rusch


The Cubs were sellers during the trade season this year. Under the banner of reconstruction, the club cleaned house, dealing a multitude of players including Matt Garza, Scott Feldman, and Alfonso Soriano. Now that the deadline has passed us, let's take a look back at the Cubs trade action.

Feldman-Clevenger, Arrieta- Strop

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The Cubs kicked off their trading season when they dealt pitcher Scott Feldman and catcher Steve Clevenger to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitcher Jake Arrieta, pitcher Pedro Strop, and some international-signing cash.

Jake Arrieta was the Orioles opneing-day starter just two years ago but has since struggled to find his groove. The 27-year-old righty came to the Cubs with a 7.23 ERA in only five starts for Baltimore this season. Pedro Strop, 27, joined the club with a 7.25 ERA in 22 innings pitched.

Since the trade in early June both Arrieta and Strop have proven useful for the north-siders. Strop has pitched 11 innings for the Cubs and held a perfect 0.00 ERA before giving up five runs to the Brewers on July 30. Arrieta made his first start in cubby blue in the second game of the double-header on July 30 and pitched six strong innings giving up just one run.

In my opinion, Arrieta and Strop are just a bonus in a deal that gives the Cubs what they really need - international-signing cash. It's become obvious that the Cubs have chosen to rebuild their team with a farm system of high-profile international prospects. The club is hot on the international scene signing several players including the #2 international prospect Gleyber Torres.

All in all, it looks to be as if both teams benefited from the transaction. The Cubs recieved two players who can be used immediately, in addition to the international-signing cash, and the Orioles recieved Scott Feldman, whose impressive starts and 3.46 ERA brought his name into trade discussions with several teams, and Steve Clevenger who was batting .327 in Triple-A Iowa. Both Feldman and Clevenger will most likely hold more value on an Orioles team who can use them down the stretch when the playoff race gets tight.

Marmol, Guerrier

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To the delight of most Cubs fans, the club was finally able to deal pitcher Carlos Marmol to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Matt Guerrier. The deal wasn't totally clear-cut, though. In addition to just Marmol, the Cubbies included cash and $210,000 of international-signing money.

At first glance it looks like the Dodgers claimed the better end of that deal, but sources seem to indicate that the Cubs will benefit from the transaction. First and foremost, the club was finally able to rid itself of Marmol, whose 5.86 ERA has proven to be a thorn in the side of the Cubby blue. Second, the club recieved Guerrier who has bolstered the bullpen, posting a 2.38 ERA over 11.1 innings pitched. And finally, the Cubs claim that the deal saved them about $500,000 in real cash because they were able to wager $210,000 of extra international-signing money in lieu of actual capital.

Personally, it's rather unsettling watching Marmol's career in Chicago end the way that it did. As vividly as I remember despising him, I can also recall admiring him when I was younger. It would be a gross error to deny the fact that, at one time, Marmol was one of the most effective relief pitchers in all of baseball. As happy as I am to see him go, I think Cubs fans should hold no grudges and should wish him the best of luck.

Garza, Olt-Edwards-Grimm

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When the trade season started it was clear that Cubs would again be sellers and that pitcher Matt Garza would be the most sought after target. Garza's name has been present in trade talks for years now, but the Cubs finally dealt him to the Texas Rangers for a package of high-rated prospects.

The 29-year-old Garza has been stellar for the Cubs this season. Since returning from injury the right-hander went 6-1 for the Cubs with a 3.27 ERA. Garza was purchased by the Cubs before the Epstein era in a "win-now" move when the team wasn't even in position to truly compete for a title. He never should have even been a Cub. Some rumors indicate that the Cubs attempted to talk with Garza about a possible contract extension but the truth of those rumors is irrelvant as the club decided to finally cash in their chips with the Rangers. The Cubs sent him to Texas in exchange for third baseman Mike Olt, pitcher C.J. Edwards, pitcher Justin Grimm, and at least one other player to be named later.

The Rangers signed Garza to a one-year, $10.25 million contract which could be a risky move considering that they gave up a cache of high-profile prospects to claim him. Third basement Mike Olt, who ranks 63rd on the MLB's top 100 prospect list, has already been ranked as high as second on the list of Cubs top farm system prospects since joinging the club. The Rangers have been criticized for offering the Cubs such a high-valued prospect, especially considering that Olt would be the obvious candidate for right-handed power if Nelson Cruz is suspended. Olt might in fact be the real deal, but, with the value on garza's head, any team who wanted him was going to have to pony up.

In addition to the raw power of Olt, the Cubs recieved pitchers C.J. Edwards and Justin Grimm. Grimm came into the Cubs system with a 6.37 ERA in 89 innings pitched with Texas this season. While his numbers are rough, Grimm is a rookie and the Cubs will look to work out the kinks in his mechanics and allow him mature in their farm system. Edwards was originally snagged by the Rangers in the 48th round of 2011 draft straight from high school. This season he was 8-2 with a 1.83 ERA for Class-A Hickory and has shown the Cubs that he can be successful at the professional level.

Soriano, Black

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In a trade that seemed to be woven into the fabric of destiny the loveable losers finally cut ties with long-time Cub Alfosno Soriano, sending him back to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitcher Corey Black.

The trade seems to make sense from all angles. The Cubs approached Soriano and discussed teams that he would be interested in playing with for the purposes of working around the no-trade clause in his contract. Soriano made it clear that he would be interested in going back to New York and, fittingly, the struggling Yankees offense was in dire need of a right-handed bat.

Soriano, 37, batted .254 for the Cubbies and has flipped the switch since June, giving the club a reliable bat in the cleanup spot and racking up 17 homers. He rejoined a Yankees side that was batting a measley .221 from the right side of the plate and is without Derek Jeter, Mark Tiexiera, and Alex Rodriguez.

In exchange for Soriano the Cubs recieved right-handed pitcher Corey Black. Black is only 5' 11'' but dominates batters with a commanding 95 mph fastball that sometimes hits triple digits. Black has some mechanical issues and a stiff follow through that tend to give him trouble with his command, but the Cubs will look to work on those issues as they groom him for the big leagues.