The Chicago Cubs have signed Cuban outfielder Eddy Julio Martinez, reports Matt Eddy of Baseball America.
The deal includes a $3 million signing bonus. Martinez's free agency has spurred a lot of controversy. He had reportedly agreed to a deal in principle with the Giants for a bonus of $2.5 million, to the point where GM Bobby Evans even mentioned and acknowledged the deal. However, he backed out of the deal, looking for a $3 million bonus, which the Cubs swooped in and offered. The issue with Martinez is while he has official representation with Beverly Hills Sports Council's Rafa Nieves and others, he also employed multiple "buscones," or street agents, who also negotiated on his behalf. BHSC negotiated his deal with the Giants, while his street agents negotiated his deal with the Cubs. Major League Baseball investigated the Martinez saga, determining if his deal with the Giants had binding, meaning whether it was official or not. If that was the case, then he would have had to sign with San Francisco regardless. It appears that did not happen. Martinez is profiled here byJesse Sanchez of MLB.com, who notes that some scouts believe he could become an Andruw Jones-type player with his short, compact swing and athleticism. As for the Cubs, they get to add Martinez to an already large crop of impressive international talent. They spent $8.65 million on international prospects on July 2 alone, meaning that they will have to pay a 100 percent tax on Martinez's deal and will spend a total of $6 million between his bonus and the tax. --Devan Fink
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The Chicago Cubs acquired outfielder Austin Jackson from the Seattle Mariners, Shannon Drayer of 710 AM Seattle reported Monday.
In return for Jackson, the Mariners reportedly received a player to be named later and $211,100 in international signing bonus money. The deal has since been announced by Chicago. The 28-year-old Jackson is a free agent at the end of the season. He is having a solid year, hitting .272/.312/.387/.699 (98 OPS+) with eight homers and 38 runs batted in over 448 plate appearances. Jackson is currently heating up, posting a .837 OPS over the last 28 days, making him a good August trade candidate. Jackson reportedly cleared waivers earlier in the month and drew interest from the Rangers and Orioles, with the latter team apparently trying to get a deal done with the Mariners before the Cubs got him. For the Cubs, Jackson represents more good right-handed hitting outfield help off the bench. With Jorge Soler on the DL, the Cubs decided to grab another righty outfielder. Matt Szczur and Chris Denorfia are also right-handed hitting outfield depth in Chicago. --Devan Fink
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 Philadelphia Phillies appear motivated to move second baseman Chase Utley before the August 31 waiver trade deadline. Many rumors have circulated as to which teams are interested in trading for him. Here is the latest regarding Utley.
According to multiple reports, the Cubs, Angels, Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers have been mentioned as the likeliest destinations for Utley. The Astros are also receiving "credible buzz" about being in on him, as Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reported this evening. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that executives involved in discussions for Utley believe that he will choose to go to either the Cubs or the Angels. Utley has 10-and-5 no-trade rights, meaning that because he has spent at least 10 years in the Major Leagues and at least five with the same team (Philadelphia), he can block a trade to any team. Therefore, the Phillies and Utley must come to a consensus as to where he will go before he is ultimately dealt. Utley has drawn appeal from more teams than just those in need for a second baseman. The Astros, for instance, are definitely fine out at second, but could use an upgrade out at first base. Utley can play first or possibly designated hitter, which has allowed more clubs to come into play for trade discussion. The 36-year-old Utley is signed just through this season, but has a vesting option for 2016 if he reaches 500 plate appearances this year (which is pretty much guaranteed not to vest due to disabled list time). On the season, Utley is hitting .208/.276/.313 in 272 plate appearances. Since coming off the disabled list on August 7, he's hitting .500/.478/.682 in six games. --Devan Fink
The Chicago Cubs have acquired right-hander Dan Haren from the Miami Marlins, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times first reported on Friday. The deal has since been announced.
The Marlins received a duo of minor leaguers for Haren, shortstop Elliot Soto and right-hander Ivan Pineyro, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald initially reported this afternoon. The 34-year-old Haren fills the Cubs' need for starting pitching. The team had shown interest in many options, from David Price and Cole Hamels to Ian Kennedy and Tyson Ross. Ultimately, the team gets Haren, a serviceable righty to bolster the staff. Haren is a 13-year MLB veteran, coming with some postseason experience. He won't carry the Cubs' staff, but he'll be an upgrade while serving as the fifth starter. His name has appeared in trade talks over the past few weeks, especially considering that he is a free agent at the end of the year and the Marlins are out of contention. On the season, Haren is 7-7 with a 3.42 ERA (4.57 FIP) in 21 starts. Over his 129 innings pitched, Haren has a 88 to 25 strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.52 K/BB). --Devan Fink |
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