The Chicago Cubs acquired right-hander Fernando Rodney from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations, the teams announced. 

The 38-year-old Rodney was designated for assignment by Seattle after a disastrous performance this season. 

The Dominican native signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Mariners last offseason and it appeared to be a success in the early going. Rodney went on to be one of the best closers in the American League last year, working to a 2.85 ERA and a 2.83 FIP in 66 1/3 innings, saving 48 games in 51 opportunities. 

This season, however, things spiraled downward. Rodney couldn't find his strikeout pitch--or his command for that matter. His strikeout rate decreased by almost three strikeouts per nine innings from 2014 and his walk rate spiked to nearly one walk more per nine. This led to worse results. Rodney posted a 5.68 ERA, but even more troubling was his 5.26 FIP over his 50 2/3 innings.

Rodney's ability to save games also fell off the table this year. He went 16-for-22 in save opportunities, with his save percentage over 20 percent lower than it was in 2014. 

A pitcher like Rodney shouldn't really be valuable to the Cubs, a contending team trying to make a run deep into the postseason. But digging deeper, there is reason for hope for Chicago, and a way to justify making the move. 

If anything, Rodney has been the same pitcher this year as he was last. His two-seam fastball velocity has been solid, checking in at 94.7 mph, exactly the same as it was last season. His changeup has a similar showing. 

The amount of movement on his pitches has actually increased this year from last. However, he's still struggling to throw strikes with all his pitches. Hitters are swinging at a few percentage points lower at pitches outside the strike zone, so perhaps that has something to do with it. 

Maybe Rodney has just been unlucky through his defense and home run rate. The former has actually not been the case, while the latter has. Rodney has allowed a career-high-tying eight home runs this season, which is a big jump from last year's three. His xFIP, reflecting upon this, is 4.63. 

Rodney has some work to do with Chicago, but maybe if they can harness his control, he'll turn out to be a valuable member of their bullpen. With roster expansion coming up in a few days, there's no reason why they shouldn't give him a shot. 

--Devan Fink

The Houston Astros and left-hander Dallas Keuchel are interested in a possible extension, he told Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle. 

The team and Keuchel's representatives at Frontline Sports Management, headed by Darek Braunecker, have discussed a multi-year deal, he said:

“[Houston] is all I’ve known, and it’s where I want to be. I know we’re in a great position for the next probably five, 10 years… it’s all about winning. Me personally, it’s not about the dollar amount. … With that being said, it’s got to be something that’s fair and that’s right for both parties. I’m not trying to break the bank. I’m just out here to have fun and pitch and do the best I can.”

Keuchel is first-time arbitration eligible this offseason and is under team control through 2018. It's not known if the Astros will try to work out a deal to try and buy out a couple of his free agent years with the new deal. 

It is possible, however, that the two sides try and work out a deal that buys out his arbitration years, while also adding team options for his potential free agent seasons.

A benefit for Keuchel in signing an extension is that it provides some financial stability through arbitration, especially if he does not perform as well as he is right now or gets injured. A benefit for the team, however, is that they might be able to get a reduced arbitration-year rate for Keuchel if in fact he does continue on the same pace he's currently on. 

As noted by Drellich, Wade Miley and Lance Lynn were two pitchers that were in comparable situations to Keuchel's last offseason that both signed extensions. Miley and Lynn both signed away their three arbitration seasons for $19.25 and $22 million, respectively. 

Keuchel, however, could figure to get more than Miley and Lynn, due to a strong past two seasons where he established himself amongst the best pitchers in the American League. Keuchel's arbitration seasons could be valued at about $25 million. It's possible an extension could be reached in the $22-25 million range. 

As stated above, Keuchel is among the best pitchers in the American League. This season, he's led the Astros staff with a 14-6 record with a 2.37 ERA (2.74 FIP), working to 7.9 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 over his 178 2/3 innings pitched. 

--Devan Fink

The Minnesota Twins acquired left-hander Neal Cotts from the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. In return, Milwaukee will receive a player to be named later or cash. 

Cotts was reportedly claimed off of waivers by an unknown team earlier this morning, so therefore that team must have been the Twins. He was claimed due to a relatively low salary ($3 million full season) and was traded because he is a free agent at the end of the year. 

The Twins had been in the market for relief pitching at the trade deadline, with their group of relievers greatly underperforming to a 4.33 xFIP this year (last in MLB). 

On the season, the 35-year-old Cotts is 1-0 with a 3.28 ERA (4.75 FIP) in 49 1/3 innings, posting 8.8 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 ratios. Overall, he has a 48 to 17 strikeout-to-walkratio. 

--Devan Fink

The Giants have needed an outfielder for some time and on Thursday, they got one. 

San Francisco announced the acquisition of Marlon Byrd from the Cincinnati Reds, obtaining the outfield help they so desperately needed since the trade deadline. The Giants also acquired cash considerations to help pay Byrd’s contract.

In return, the Reds received Double-A right-hander Stephen Johnson.

The soon-to-be 38-year-old will be joining his ninth Major League organization of his 14 year career. With the deal, Byrd has endured his third trade since 2013, going from the Mets to the Pirates, the Phillies to the Reds, and now the Reds to Giants. 

The Giants have had a plethora of injuries in the outfield this year, seeing all three of their starting outfielders go down to injuries at one time or another. The team currently has right fielder Hunter Pence and center fielder Angel Pagan on the DL with oblique and knee injuries, respectively. 

Byrd will only be a two month rental for San Francisco, as they hope he will help them make a playoff push. He is in the final year of a two-year, $16 million deal signed with Philadelphia prior to 2014. While he does have a vesting option for 2016, he is unlikely to reach the plate appearance milestone he needs to get it. 

On the season, Byrd is hitting .237/.286/.448/.735 (98 OPS+) with 19 home runs and 42 RBIs in 388 plate appearances. 

--Devan Fink

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired second baseman Chase Utley from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, the teams announced. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported earlier that a trade of Utley could come today. 

The Dodgers' acquisition of Utley is truly to help add infield depth during the final month-and-a-half during this season as they make a run towards the playoffs. With Howie Kendrick on the disabled list due to a hamstring ailment, they needed a second basemen for at least the short term. Utley can also play first base on an Adrian Gonzalez off day and could perhaps play third as well. 

A free agent at the end of the season, Utley was a prime August trade candidate due to his expensive contract and poor play. He was hitting for a horrid .532 OPS from the beginning of the season to June 22. He then promptly went on the disabled list himself with leg issues and since he's been back, he looks like his old self. 

In terms of his contract, Utley was owed $15 million this season. He had about $6 million in contracts left, including a $2 million buyout on a team option for 2016. According to Rosenthal, the Dodgers will receive $4 million from Philadelphia in order to pay Utley. 

In the deal, the Phillies received two minor leaguers, infielder and outfielder Darnell Sweeney and right-hander John Richy. Sweeney will be promoted to the big league club to fill Ultey's spot on the roster. He was rated as the Dodgers' 13th-best prospect, according to MLB.com. Richy was not listed in the Dodgers' Top 30. 

On the season, the 36-year-old Utley is hitting .217/.284/.333/.617 with five home runs and 30 RBIs in 282 plate appearances. Since coming back from the DL this month, he's 15-for-31 (.484) with one home run, five doubles, five RBIs, five runs scored, and a walk in eight games. 

--Devan Fink