Cubs Trade Pitcher

The Cubs made a move today to clear some much needed....minor league roster space? Rotoworld says the Oakland Athletics have acquired pitcher Rocky Roquet for the ever popular player to be named later.

Roquet, a 26-year old right-hander was always a favorite of Arizona Phil and was a non-roster invitee to camp this spring. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League the last two years and Scout.com had him at #18 in their 2008 prospect rankings. 

I'm not sure why the move was made unless the Cubs felt they were full at the minor league levels or Billy Beane really liked Roquet and promised a decent return for the Cubs on that ambiguous future player they'll eventually receive. Or the Cubs know they're going to have to bite the bullet on Chad Gaudin's salary and the deal will just end up being for cash...an unlikely but possible scenario.

UPDATE: Muskat also says the Cubs have released LHP Ed Campusano.  I believe over the last month the Cubs have cut ties with their top picks from 2003-2005 (Ryan Harvey, Grant Johnson and Mark Pawelek), plus pitchers Ryan Acosta, Campusano, Micahel Cooper, Jim Henderson, Jordan Latham, John Muller, Audy Santana, Harol Tolentino, catchers Mario Mercedes and Tony Richie, 1B Bryan Jost and SS Erick Almonte.

UPDATE #2: The Cubs VP of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita says the trade was simply due to a minor league roster crunch.

“He’s a great kid with a chance to pitch in the major leagues,” Cubs Vice President of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita said of Roquet.

 

“We were simply full and had to create (minor league roster) space.

Tags: 
Cubs Roster Moves
Cubs Minor Leagues
Rocky Roquet
Ed Campusano
Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 1:53pm
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Comments

Submitted by Romero
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 2:06pm

I bet we get Eric Patterson out of this.

Submitted by mastrick
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 2:30pm

Pawelek was let go on Sunday, Grant Johnson was let go last week. In other news the Cubs have signed another Korean, 18 year old outfield prospect Ok-suk Wang.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 2:34pm

I believe over the last month the Cubs have cut ties 

Submitted by Hawkeye
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 3:52pm

Nice April Fool's.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 4:01pm

Submitted by navigator
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 2:30pm

The Cubs also cut Ed Campusano. No comment? What is he, chopped liver?? or maybe I just missed it elsewhere...

I know Ed had Tommy John surgery and sat out 2007 so why cut him now after being an NRI to spring training? He's got talent. But maybe Lou put him on his hate list because of the 5 walks.

And I reeeeeeeeeeeeally don't understand dumping Rocky Roquet. His minor league averages speak sweetly (3.14 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 10.5 K's - 7.4 Hits - 0.5 HR's per 9 innings pitched). Can't the obviously depleted Cub organization use some of that??

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 2:48pm

My TCR processing:

1) Read [poster's name]. 2) Read post.

-or-

1) Read [Navigator]. 2) Skip and move on to next post. 3) Dude, you're really negative.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 2:49pm

Did you see where the Cubs ranked with their farm system? Saying "so-and-so is one of the Cub's best pitching prospects" isn't saying a whole hell of a lot. Might as well shake things up.

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 2:35pm

And, in other news, navigator is reeeeeaaaally negative, just about all the time...

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 2:51pm

Wow. You beat me to it. What am I thinking about right now?

Submitted by mastrick
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 2:42pm

I'm glad to see that the Cubs are cutting dead wood, if young ballplayers don't have a chance in hell of making the big club we shouldn't waste time or money developing them.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 8:22pm

Good idea.

Let's dump Vitters and Castillo too.

Submitted by CPH2133
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 10:10pm

"Good idea.

Let's dump Vitters and Castillo too."

This is where Rob comes in and suggests getting rid of Samninja too...

Submitted by Andrew
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 2:55pm

The Cubs have clearly adapted the idea of a fire sale to their own philosophy. Rather than sell the declining, high-priced big leaguers for a bunch of talented and cheap minor leaguers, they are attempting to clear minor league roster payroll in the hopes of affording another star or at least someone paid like a star. $80k here, $120k there -- it adds up quickly people. Who knows, after we clear out the rest of Tennessee and Daytona's roster, we might be able to afford ... Bernie Williams? Frank Thomas? I don't know, I'm thinking big here.

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 3:11pm

A sure sign that spring training this year is ENTIRELY too long--when Cubs fans get uptight about the departure of future hall-of-famer Rocky Roquet.

Nearly all of the Cubs' minor leaguers have zero big league talent. I'm struggling to identify ANY minor leaguer the Cubs have given up on over the last five years who has mattered a hill of beans. Ricky Nolasco is the only one I can think of, maybe Jerry Blevins too.

Clay Rapada was cut by the Tigers today, Scott Moore didn't make it with the Orioles. Orange Guy is back in the minors. Etc...

Frankly, I think the Cubs have been pretty darn good assessors of their minor league talent, or lack thereof, in recent years. No complaints on that end. I just wish they'd draft better in the first place. (Tyler Colvin rant deleted).

Submitted by billybucks
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 3:38pm

Bummer for Murton.

He goes 3-for-30 with the A's last year, now back down to the minors at age 27. Rough.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 3:40pm

i dunno what the hell COL wants with him anyway. him...in that OF in COL? LF in wrigley was enough of a challenge for the guy.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 4:33pm

Actually, by most metrics, Murton was, at worst, a league average defensive left fielder for the Cubs.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:16pm

metrics measure him getting there...not the adventure to the resolution.

and OF in COL in any position you better know how to read a ball of the bat.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 10:20pm

100% agree, CRUNCH. I've seen his escapades in the OF in-person and on TV. He is below average, without a doubt.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 04/02/2009 - 1:24am

yeah...it's not that i dont think he could play OF somewhere...but expanding his OF coverage by putting him in the huge COL outfield is the main reason i find COL wanting him odd. that's a place where you can let guys score from 2nd on a single or let a guy turn a single into a double if you screw up out there.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 3:13pm

Michael Barrett makes the Blue Jays as their backup catcher...

Jae-kuk Ryu returned to the Padres after the Indians claimed him off waivers, may be an injury there and could be headed to the DL.

Submitted by springs
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 3:31pm

Roquet has a pretty good arm, but the Cubs have quite a few good prospects that are at least comparable in terms of likelihood of future success. Kevin Hart, for example, is better than Roquet. Alex Maestri, Esmalin (sp?) Caridad, Blake Parker, Marcus Mateo are other good right handed prospects. Plus Jeff Stevens (acquired from CLE in Derosa deal).

If we get something decent in return, particularly an OF, LHP or a low level 1B (each of which are places where we have a dearth of prospects), perhaps it will be a good trade.

I actually am more upset at cutting Pawelek and Campusano. But neither of them, nor Rocky Roquet, were people who I expected much from this coming season.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 3:36pm

paw's "dead arm" turned into a "where's your velocity, kid?"...

ever since he *cough cough* tripped over his playstation *cough cough* he's not been the same.

he's a 88-90mph fastball pitcher now and when he cranks it up he can hit the low 90s.

he's not a mid+90s kid anymore.

Submitted by springs
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:01pm

I probably was just hoping for a return of the velocity, which is not at all likely.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 3:55pm

Soto grand slam...6-0 Cubs.

Submitted by Romero
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 4:05pm

Hmmmm...not sure why Jordan Latham was cut. He's someone I had my eye on at the lower levels.

Last year combined b/w Peoria (A) and Daytona (A+):

77.1 IP, 62 H, 17 ER, 4 HR, 25 BB, 71 K

5-2, 1.98 ERA

Career minor league HR/9 is 0.5, BB/9 is 3.7, K/9 is 8.6

He won't turn 23 until late September.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 4:55pm

fwiw, Latham was told to me by email and haven't seen it anywhere else. It's from Inside the Ivy so unless he mixed up a name, I trust the source.

Submitted by Romero
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 4:56pm

Shit, Rob. Clearly you fucking hate him. I am so sick of you hating on our fucking minor league pitchers.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 4:58pm

Jordan Latham kicks puppies.

Submitted by Romero
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:24pm

Prob'ly BECAUSE you hate him!

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:15pm

Latham's name stuck out to me, too. Not doubting Rob's source--I know he has great sources--just wanted to see it in print somewhere so I looked through all the BA transaction reports back to January and the Felix Pie deal. All of Rob's names except Latham and the very recent duo (Roquet and Campusano) are listed.

It's strange, if true. Latham is too new--his first season was short-season Boise in '07.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:38pm

It's strange, if true. Latham is too new--his first season was short-season Boise in '07.

Acosta was younger and drafted a year later, so doubt that has much to do with it. I'll ask him again to make sure it wasn't a mix up.

The Cubs do not put out an official list fwiw, they think it embarrasses the players. The info that Baseball America or any source puts out about minor leaguers being released is mined from their own sources. 

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:30pm

fwiw, it wasn't a mixup although nothing official from the Cubs...who don't officially announce minor league cuts.

When minor league rosters come out, it should "prove" it, although everything Steve (aka Inside the Ivy) has tipped me on before has come out true.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 4:41pm

Soto HR's for the second time...

Maestri struck out the side....

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 4:58pm

Hey, Matt Bush is available! Who says there's no talent to be had?

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:45pm

He's a Fort Wayne Tincap (Formerly Fort Wayne Wizards) alumni. He was real good at the low-A level. *rolls eyes*

By the way, likely no one will really care about this but I'll put a plug in anyways. Fort Wayne is building a new ball park for our local low-A Padres affiliate. The Fort Wayne Tincaps will play at Parkview Field downtown Fort Wayne:

Photos of the new facility:
http://www.tincaps.com/parkviewfield/photos/

I walked around the construction site last Saturday and I was surprised how little security there was. I was able to walk around the concourse and the place is gorgeous (can a straight guy use that word?). The facilities boast of having the largest jumbotron in low and high A baseball, there will be a park in centerfield for children to play (hopefully they don't get drilled in the head by a home run to CF.

SO if you are ever unlucky enough to be around Fort Wayne during the minor league season... stop in for a game.

Submitted by rob9999
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:23pm

Ryno,

I am from Peoria and follow the Chiefs religiously. For the last 5 years, my father-in-law and I travel to the Midwest League All Star game. Last year it was in Midland, Michigan and the park was unbelievable! Unfortunately, it can be difficult to secure tickets, especially in a new venue. I understand that the 2010 MWL All Star game is in Fort Wayne! They usually reserve all the good seats for the season ticket holders and we have a difficult time getting anything other than general admission. Perhaps you have a source?

Submitted by Indiana JJ
on Thu, 04/02/2009 - 8:18pm

Did it look more "done" on the inside? My son and I were at the library last week and decided to drive by the park. I thought no way it's ready in two weeks or whatever.

Submitted by springs
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:00pm

why Zambrano came out after 3.1 innings? He only gave up 1 ER on 2 H and 2 BB, so I doubt (though its not impossible) that he was at the pitch limit.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:02pm

he was set to just pitch a few innings...he asked if he could DH the whole game, but doesn't look like the A's allowed it or maybe the Cubs changed their mind about it. 

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:58pm

No way in hell Lou would allow that. That's one of those high-risk, zero reward moves.

Submitted by carmelo
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:09pm

Check out Peavy's line today in his final tune-up for the season---5 innings, 0 runs, 0 bb, 4k's---it says 22 pitches, 22 strikes---he WILL look good in Cubbie Blue!!!

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:11pm

Peavy was so November. This spring/summer, it's going to be the Halladay Show! Heads up, just based on talent, I'd rather have RH anyways; factor in the contracts, and it seems more than obvious.

Of course, if we did end up with Peavy, we could do a heck of a lot worse.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 8:26pm

Halladay is someone I could get on board with - we would still have the problem of too much $$ in the rotation, though. Z or Lilly would have to go, I think, to fit that big contract in.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:45pm

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=10107794

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said Tuesday that "while it's hard to imagine Mesa and the Cubs not being together," the reality is baseball is a business.

Smith said it's a top priority for the city to do whatever it can to meet the Cubs' needs.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:54pm

Vizcaino gives up a 2-run HR to Travis Buck in an inning of work

Guzman gives up 2 H, 1K, 1 unearned run and a K (error by Kyle Reynolds)

Cotts gives up 3 Runs in an inning of a work along with 5 Hits...struck out the side though as well.

Maestri struck out the side in his inning, Waddell with a scoreless inning

Samardzija in to close and immediately gives up a leadoff single representing the tying run, followed by a sac bunt

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 5:56pm

followed by another single, tie game...then gets a pop-up and a groundout to end the inning.

Game called as an 8-8 tie. 

Submitted by jakester
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:35pm

Sorry Rob G. but it was a leadoff error by Hoffpauir the run scored was not earned. Must be watching Comcast sports you got wrong again.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:43pm

i was listening on the radio, announcer didn't mention an error just that it got by Hoffpauir...so apologies to the entire Samardzija family and Cubs fans everywhere for besmirching his good name.

what did I get wrong before? 

Submitted by jakester
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:46pm

Apology accepted peace out. See ya!

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 8:33pm

Blown save for Smardypants. The no K, one unearned run inning got his ERA down to a stellar 7.63 ERA. I too don't understand why Iowa would need to make room for him on the roster. The only place that needs to make room for him is Cooperstown.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 6:56pm

seems someone has a mancrush on you rob.

you don't have to worry about watching your every move because your new friend here will.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:16pm

I don't know about you crunch, but I sense sexual tension.

Submitted by rob9999
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:26pm

Rob, I'm beginning to think you really do hate Samardzija!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:32pm

well he did take this picture, would you blame me?

Submitted by Little Nate Lewis
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 7:52pm

Soooooo much cooler....

http://www.homeruncards.com/images-cards/bo-jackso...

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 8:21pm

bo jackson was so f'n awesome...

not a HOF'r...not a fringe HOF'r in waiting...and yes his media blitz was sickeningly annoying sometimes, but at least once a week he seemed to do something "wow." without even trying.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 8:35pm

Last Arizona game tomorrow vs. Indians, probably won't see too many starters...

cross-country flight to NY for Fri/Sat (could be rain)...

almost cross-country flight back to Texas to play Houston Monday.....

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 8:43pm

Don't worry, they make these jet planes rain-proof nowadays. Apparently not bird-proof, but rain shouldn't be an issue.

Submitted by CA-Phil
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 9:51pm

Heck, even if an unfortunate birdstrike occurred, Samardzija! could take over the plane and land it safely in a river...

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 9:56pm

Or Fontenot can part the river, and Samninja can just land the plane on the flat rocky bottom.

Submitted by Wes
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 10:21pm

O'Hare Tower: "Alright Cactus League 1549. It's going to be a left. Traffic to runway 3-1."
Jeff Samardzija: "Unable. Rob G. doesn't think I can do it."
Tower: "OK, what do you need to land? Cactus League 1549, runway four is available if you want to make left traffic to runway four."
Jeff Samardzija: "I am not sure if we can make runway. Oh, what's that over to our right? Anything in Indiana, maybe Hammond?"
Tower: "OK yea, off to your right is Hammond airport. Do you want to try and go to Hammond?"
Jeff Samardzija: "Yes."
Tower: "Hammond, uh, O'Hare actually. Mesa departure got an emergency inbound.
Hammond: "OK, go ahead."
Tower: "Cactus League 1529, Over the Skyway Bridge wants to go to the airport right now."
Hammond: "He wants to go to our airport check. Does he need any assistance?"
Tower: "Ah, yes, he, ah, was a bird strike. Can I get him in for runway one?"
Hammond: "Runway one, that's good."
Tower: Cactus League 1529, turn right 2-8-0, you can land runway one at Hammond."
Jeff Samardzija: "We can't do it."
Tower: "OK, which runway would you like at Hammond?"
Jeff Samardzija: "We're gonna be in Iowa City."

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 04/02/2009 - 1:27am

*golf clap*

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 04/02/2009 - 6:02am

Ha! Great post, Wes!

Submitted by kmokeefe
on Thu, 04/02/2009 - 8:37am

ah this made my morning

Submitted by carlosrubi
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 10:15pm

Gaudin traded; Samardzija and Patton make the team.

http://tinyurl.com/642wu3

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 10:19pm

Die.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 10:23pm

Fuck you carlosrubi.

At least you COULD have used a different movie instead of the one every numbskull who thinks they're funny uses.

"-1"

Submitted by carlosrubi
on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 10:25pm

It's a TCR tradition.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 04/02/2009 - 1:28am

awesome...

i mean,

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Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Thu, 04/02/2009 - 9:28am

Damn you, Carlos. Damn you...

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