The Chicago Cubs were busy ahead of MLB’s trade deadline Monday, acquiring two relief pitchers and an outfielder to help bolster their depth at multiple positions.
Those moves come a day after the team acquired slugger Jose Martinez from the Tampa Bay Rays in an effort to shore up their hitting.
Here are the latest headlines from the North Side:
Cubs Confirm Three Deadline Day Swaps
The Cubs have now confirmed that they made three different trades prior to the Major League Baseball trade deadline on Monday.
The Cubs added to their outfield depth, acquiring outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for infield prospect Zack Short.
In addition, the Cubs picked up two left-handed pitchers for their bullpen. In one of the swaps, Josh Osich was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later or for cash considerations.
Chicago Baseball
To clear room for Osich on the active roster, the Cubs designated infielder Hernán Pérez for assignment, the team said.
The second trade was completed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, as left-handed pitcher Andrew Chafin is heading to the Cubs, along with a cash consideration. In exchange, the Cubs will send a player to be named later, or cash, to the Diamondbacks.
To clear room on the team’s 40-man roster, outfielder Ian Miller has been designated for assignment. Chafin will be placed on the injured list by the Cubs, meaning that a corresponding active roster move won’t be required.
Cubs Reportedly Acquire Cameron Maybin From Tigers
The Cubs weren’t finished yet with moves, as they’ve reportedly acquired outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Detroit Tigers.
The move was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan:
Maybin isn’t a split-dependent option in the outfield, meaning that he could potentially play against right or left-handed pitching, but he has hit with more power against right-handed hurlers during his career, with a slugging percentage nearly 30 points greater than against southpaws.
In exchange, the Cubs reportedly sent shortstop Zack Short to the Tigers.
Cubs Reportedly Acquire Reliever Josh Osich from Red Sox
The Cubs only had one left-handed pitcher in their bullpen prior to Monday, and now it appears they’ll have at least three, as they’ve reportedly brought in pitcher Josh Osich from the Boston Red Sox.
Osich has made 13 appearances this season with Boston, with a 5.74 ERA and a 1-1 record. He has struck out 20 batters in 15.2 innings of work.
Osich is a split-heavy hurler, pitching much better against lefties than against righties. He has a .211 career batting average-against when facing southpaws, but has allowed a nearly .300 batting average to right-handed hitters, meaning that manager David Ross will have to be very careful with his usage.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network was first to break the Osich trade:
Cubs Reportedly Acquire Chafin From Diamondbacks
The Cubs have finally gotten their trade deadline day started, reportedly acquiring pitcher Andrew Chafin from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
According to reports from Joel Sherman of the New York Post and Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Cubs will send a player to be named later to the Diamondbacks.
Chafin, currently on the injured list with a sprained finger on his pitching hand, is a solid pitcher against both lefties and righties, giving the Cubs a great option out of the bullpen. With the pen largely stocked with right-handed pitching, Chafin also gives the team another southpaw option, a huge boost in a competitive National League race.
