Byrd Flying East for the Summer

UPDATE #2: @Sean_McAdam: Red Sox will be responsible for only the pro-rated minimum - about $400K -- of Marlon Byrd's $6.5 million salary. Cubs eat the rest.

UPDATE: @Sean_McAdam
Baseball source: Byrd to Red Sox for Michael Bowden and PTBNL done. Cubs will pick up "most'' of Byrd's $6.5 million.

Nick Cafardo was the first to report that the Cubs and Red Sox are working on a deal to send Marlon Byrd to the Red Sox. It would also make sense of the earlier roster move today where the Cubs called up Tony Campana to put Ryan Dempster on the disabled list since they still need to lose a body to make room for Randy Wells tomorrow.

Bruce Levine is saying the Cubs will get a left-handed reliever and a minor leaguer in the deal and it should be completed today. I'm presuming Cubs will pay a healthy portion of Byrd's roughly $6.5M salary as well, but no word on that yet. Franklin Morales and Justin Thomas are the 2 lefties on their current active roster. There's also Michael Bowden, a righty, that was DFA'd last week by them.

Lineups for today's loss after the jump...

Reds Cubs
Cozart, SS
 *DeJesus, RF
Stubbs, CF
 Barney, 2B
*Votto, 1B
 Castro, SS
Phillips, 2B
 *LaHair, 1B
Ludwick, LF
 *Stewart, 3B
Rolen, 3B *Clevenger, C
Heisey, RF *DeWitt, 2B
Mesoraco, C
 Mather, CF
Leake, P
 *Maholm, P

Keep an eye out here for more updates on the trade.

Tags: 
Cubs rumors
Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 11:44am
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Comments

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 12:11pm

I wonder if we'll see Campana in the 9th spot as Sveum threatened us.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 12:14pm

1-0 reds already

2b, groundout, bb, RBI single

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 12:33pm

Cubs strike back, 2 singles to start and a sac fly by LaHair

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 12:56pm

2 out offensive explosion for cubs, 5-1 cubs.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 1:22pm

nice little play by LaHair after Casto flubs again and Stubb reaches

3-2 count on Votto with 1 out, Maholm throws over and fools him and LaHair blocks Stubbs hand with his foot for the pick-off

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 1:31pm

Torreyes a 3/3 night with a walk and 3 runs scored (2 2B, 1 3B), also an error.

Ha 2/3 with a BB

Rizzo, Jackson, Castillo combined 0/11, although Jackson did have 2 RBI's.

Iowa loses again, F. DeLaCruz and Caridad roughed up, B. Parker has a scoreless inning and has a 0.00 ERA on the year. Amazega and E. Gonzalez with multi-hit games.

B. Raley goes 6 IP/2 ER/3 K but Rhoderick gets the win, Cabrera the save. Watkins and Apodaca with multi-hit games, along with Ha.

Peoria loses 7-5, Willengton Cruz roughed up again as is Bryce Shafer. Yao-Lin Wang with a scoreless inning though and maintains a 0.00 ERA. Pin-Chieh Chen with the only extra-base hit of the night and 2 RBI's.

A. Kirk goes 7 IP/1 ER/3 K for the win over Tampa, G. Rohan went deep again (4 on the year)

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 1:34pm

Coleman vs. Memphis (Cardinals)
Struck vs. Chattanooga (Dodgers)
Jokisch vs. Tampa (Yankees)
Peoria has already started, M. Jensen going vs. Great Lakes (Dodgers)

Submitted by Wes
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 1:49pm

Look at you with the clever headline!

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 1:51pm

Clevenger sucks

Leake on his way to Kohls

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:03pm

Bruce Levine tweets...

Bruce Levine ‏ @ESPNBruceLevine
Epstein and Hoyer just went into clubhouse

---------
C'mon, can't you do better than that Brucie?

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:07pm

WEEI Alex Speier posts a more detailed article...

Random aside: The structure of that contract suggests the makings of a deal that, hypothetically, could help the Red Sox' payroll as calculated for luxury tax purposes. If, for instance, the Cubs sent $5.5 million to Boston to offset the outfielder's salary, then it would actually decrease the Red Sox' payroll as calculated for CBT purposes, as that sum would be subtracted from Byrd's $5 million average annual salary.

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-i...

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:09pm

Ken Rosenthal tweets... (not really anything new, just relaying his source)

Source: Byrd deal remains probable. Timing issues remain. Cubs likely to pay most of Byrd's remaining $6.5M. Bowden in play from RedSox

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1937...

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:19pm

"Timing issues remain."

Anyone have an idea what that means?

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:22pm

*shurg*

if it's bowden...they designated him for assignment, but he hasn't been put on waivers yet...but needs to be soon.

if it's BOS waiting to see if a CF'r appears elsewhere...well, good luck with that this early in the season.

i assume the holdup might be michael barrett...because it's usually his fault for everything.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:23pm

"Timing issues remain."
---
Last flight to Boston/Logan out of Midway is 8:50 PM

http://www.southwest.com/flight/select-flight...

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 4:46pm

Sat, 04/21/2012 - 2:19pm — QuietMan

"Timing issues remain."

Anyone have an idea what that means?

=============================

Q-MAN: Michael Bowden was Designated for Assignment on April 15th, so he has to be placed on Outright Assignment Waivers no later than 2PM (EDT) Monday 4/23 or else the Red Sox cannot outright him to the minors (presuiming he isn't claimed) on 4/25 (it takes 48 hours for a player get through waivers).

So if Bowden is the player the Cubs will be getting back for Byrd, the deal must be completed prior to 2 PM (EDT) next Wednesday, but really more like by 2 PM (EDT) Monday or else the Sox would be stuck having to release Bowden if the deal falls through.

BTW, Bowden is out of minor league options, so the Cubs cannot acquire him from Boston and then option him to the minors.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:19pm

Red Sox.com also has an article on Byrd rumors

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120...

One candidate could be Michael Bowden, a right-hander the Red Sox designated for assignment last week. Bowden was selected by Boston in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft by Theo Epstein and Jason McLeod, both of whom currently work in the Cubs' front office.

note: Bowden was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 1st round (47th pick) of the 2005 amateur draft.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:17pm

Scouting report on Bowden from sox prospects.com
http://www.soxprospects.com/players/bowden-mi...

Bowden has an arsenal of four pitches: (1) an 88-92 mph four-seam fastball that can top out around 94 mph, (2) an average 12-6 hard breaking curve, (3) an excellent circle changeup, and (4) an 83-85 mph slider that he added in 2009, which he hopes to use as an out pitch down the line. Also developing a cutter in 2011. His main pitch - the four-seamer - has a late, heavy sinking movement, and he generally keeps it down in the zone. Bowden can also work in a two-seamer that is a few mph off of his four-seamer, with a bit more movement. His deceptive changeup sits in the low-80s, about 10 mph off of his fastball, with action moving away from lefties. His mid-70s curve is sharp and he keeps hitters at bay with it, but he definitely telegraphs it too often. Overall, Bowden has an excellent command of the zone. One aspect that should come with more experience is improved pitchability against advanced hitters. His mechanics are somewhat unconventional in that his delivery is quite compact and he doesn't pull back with a lot of torque. Relies more on arm strength than leverage. Still, he's able to maintain consistent arm action throughout his outings, so the Sox haven't messed with his delivery. Bowden is said to be a workaholic and just loves to pitch - another player who just lives and dies for baseball. Very athletic and focused and intense on the mound.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:22pm

To me, Bowden is their version of Jay Jackson, a guy who, as a starter, was flyball prone, lacked an out-pitch as he worked into the upper levels (as he scrapped the plus curve he once had because of mechanical issues), and eventually moved to the pen (which is where I think Jay Jackson's best shot is). With the fastball/cutter (and tossing in a few sliders), he still has enough stuff that he could be a solid middle relief type arm I'm not sure I really buy him as a late-inning type arm (I mean, is he significantly better than say, a Blake Parker, out of the pen?).

All that said, in a Marlon Byrd trade/dump, this is a fine return.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:25pm

his slider never "took" fwiw...he has it, but he can't throw it hard with control at mid-80s, it works best (but not very well) in the very low 80s.

also, that curve is long gone.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:27pm

Hopefully there's more to this than Bowden. If Cubs are not getting salary relief, not getting a real prospect, and not ready to call up Jackson, why bother?

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:30pm

throw shiiiiiiiiiii at a wall, see what sticks. *shrug*

bowden isn't horrible, but he's a setup guy at best...i hope they don't want to try to make him a starter again.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:00pm

Bowden and an A-ball arm sounds like what they ought to expect for Byrd plus $5 mill.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:39pm

the "conspiracy theorist" would say that they are going for as bad a team as possible to load up on the draft and international signing in 2013, as much as possible under the new CBA.

the flip side is ... uh ... maybe they believe adding Campana gives them better defense and another top of the order option?

If it wasn't for the fact that they DFA'd Bowden, much as I am not high on Bowden, Bowden for Byrd and cash to offset is probably an okay deal. A mildly intriguing, team-controlled upper level arm (plus the supposed LOOGY they are getting) for an older veteran that doesn't offer that much with the bat. Of course, that really doesn't address the "why bother" question you propose - just saying that the deal isn't that bad, and only sounds worse because Bowden was DFA'd.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:43pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzOHq5WbQ8k

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:52pm

at least it's the 2014 draft class that this "awesome" draft pick should materialize...if they continue down this path of suck, that is.

i'm not a huge fan of the 2013 draft class. it's not weak, but there's not that "woah" up top in the top-5 that you see in some years.

that said, i don't know what the 2014 draft class holds, so i could be dead wrong about it being better.

also, it's april and im talking about next years draft...bbl, suicide.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 4:12pm

Hmm ... it might not have the woah, but if we really do finish with a top 2-3 pick, if we could nab an Austin Wilson or a Karsten Whitson, that would be huge for the system.

That said, a lot can change in the next year and change.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 4:19pm

i brainfarted there and all my 2013 should be 2012...and 2014, 2013...

speaking of 2012...i hope mike zunino (college catcher) lasts long enough to draft this year because he's the only guy i like in the "high end" 2012 class.

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 4:29pm

I'd be fine if they wanted to take a gamble on Giolito (if he fell there), provided the doctors said it was okay. I'd be curious about his teammate, Max Fried, although it feels a dash high at 6.

I'm not the biggest fan of Appel, and I don't think Buxton is falling there. I doubt Zunino falls there either, but that'd be a nice pick if he somehow was available. I'm not sure how I feel about Gausman or Zimmer as of now.

For the most part, I think we'll get a very good talent at 6.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 4:34pm

i really don't like appel...with his stuff he should be -much- more effective. kyle zimmer gets love (and might be taken over appel) but he works deep counts a lot, though his walks rate don't show it.

rich shaffer (college 3rd) i'd take over appel and zimmer...

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:02pm

I'm not sure this team is any worse off without Byrd than they are with Byrd. You always have Johnson, Mather, and Sappelt to step into the role that Byrd currently fills, plus Campana to play some, and BJax once we get into July or so. In the short term, any of those players could actually improve the team's chances of a winning a game or two.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:56pm

Sveum on the post-game interview was asked about Campana, match him up not against power guys...will use him to start a couple of times a week and maybe more, "production is everything".

asked about the Clevenger Steamer, said Soto will play tomorrow.

said he doesn't talk to Castro after every one of their errors.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 3:59pm

campana/mather CF...watch out MLB.

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 4:42pm

"production is everything".

asked about the Clevenger Steamer, said Soto will play tomorrow.

Contradiction much?

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 4:47pm

soto, clevenger, and welly...at least they have surplus youth somewhere... =p

if clevenger keeps hitting (even though he'll probably be jason kendall-ish at best) it could make the welly situation interesting. i'm already assuming this is soto's last season and he's trade bait mid-season or post-season. welly could probably start now and celvenger is making an early case he could, too.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:05pm

I'm not that psyched about Clevenger's arm, and he tends to pop the ball into LF and CF, so I think his average is bound to fluctuate wildly with good and bad luck. He's nice to have around as a backup while he's earning league minimum.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:12pm

pretty much...im ready for the welly era, if/when it gets here.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 4:44pm

"said he doesn't talk to Castro after every one of their errors."

Nobody's got that kind of time on their hands.

Submitted by superjimmer
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 10:24pm

THAT made me laugh. Hard...

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 4:46pm

Bruce Levine ‏ @ESPNBruceLevine

Marlon Byrd confirms he has been traded to Boston. Deal will be announced after Boston game.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:13pm

Sean McAdam ‏@Sean_McAdam
Baseball source: Byrd to Red Sox for Michael Bowden and PTBNL done. Cubs will pick up "most'' of Byrd's $6.5 million.

Should we start a pool for when the ptbnl happens?

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:07pm

humber perfect through 8 vs seattle

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:23pm

1 out left...oombur wants it bad...showing it.

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:30pm

pefecto on bad check swing call on home ump.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:28pm

...and he gets it. awesome.

too bad i had to sit though a NYY/BOS blowout until the 9th while this was going on...even though i pay $200 for the EI package...woo, Fox saturdays.

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:29pm

Len Kasper ‏ @LenKasper

SHOW THE SIDE SWING!!!!!! I WANNA SEE IT!!!!!

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:33pm

agreed...fox has the shot (and an overhead shot), but they didn't show it. guess they don't want to push it when SEA was almost assured of a loss anyway.

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 5:39pm

it was 9-1 bosox over yanks.
Now have tying run on first, all runs in the 7th

Submitted by jacos
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 6:27pm

14-9 Yanks
Valentine booed getting pitchers changed

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 6:34pm

i have no idea wtf valentine was trying to do leaving aceves out there. there's not having it and giving a guy a chance to work out of it...and just plain not having it.

the only thing aceves had today was velocity.

hell, i have no idea why valentine has a f'n job in the bigs. i think a player could last relate him back in the 1980s.

Submitted by 10man
on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 10:56pm

is there a pool yet on when Valentine gets the axe?

Submitted by superjimmer
on Mon, 04/23/2012 - 2:20pm

How long is his contract? I say all star break if he currently has a 1year deal!

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 04/23/2012 - 2:52pm

**How long is his contract?**

2 years.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 9:10pm

Red Sox DFA ex-Cub Nate Spears to make room for Byrd on 40-man.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 10:07pm

Alex Speier, WEEI updates his post...

While the identity of the player to be named is not known, a source said that it is not left-hander Andrew Miller (currently on the DL).

also he changed his info for those "luxury-taxologists":

One slightly obscure clarification: It was believed that the Sox could apply the money that the Cubs would send to them to improve their luxury tax situation, since the subsidy coming from the Cubs would exceed his average annual value. In the past, teams could end up with a lower payroll as calculated for luxury tax purposes after acquiring a player. However, according to an industry source, Major League Baseball closed that loophole in the last two years.

http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseb...

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 8:54am

Do they have any guys in suits the Cubs may still want?

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 12:40am

So we have another roster move coming, right?

Bowden gets placed on the 40 man roster since he wasn't outrighted by the Red Sox. He's out of options. So he stays on the 25 man roster unless the Cubs try to outright him.

Wells geting recalled to start on Sunday. So that's one too many players.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 1:23am

sounds about right...

I imagine they can send Maine back down and replace him with Bowden. Bowden just takes Byrd's spot on the 40-man, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 11:16am

Shawn Camp and Bowden also seem redundant in terms of their stuff.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 9:51am

The Cubs have also been given a list of young pitchers by the Red Sox that they will scout. At some point in May, they will choose one pitcher to complete the trade.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/i...

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 12:50pm

interesting wording in the article. Makes me think we'll get to pick a "Chris Archer", "Marcos Mateo", or "Jose Ceda" type of guy in the low levels, a lottery ticket arm of sorts, perhaps someone not as polished yet (as bad as he's been, I wouldn't mind trying to rehab Drake Britton, but he's on the 40 and there's probably better options out there. Maybe a Cody Kukuk).

Also interesting that he loosely confirmed what I had been thinking - that there's a good chance Brett Jackson won't see Wrigley until late summer, if not the fall. Considering the direction of this season, okay.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 1:31pm

Can we have Kurcz back?

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Mon, 04/23/2012 - 12:36am

that'd be sort of ... funny. Honestly, much as I liked Kurcz, depending on the arms, I might be inclined to go for a lottery ticket type arm instead. There isn't that much ceiling with our starting pitchers in full-season ball (I mean, I am more gung-ho than most on Wells, but realistically, as of now, unless he really develops his breaking ball, it's more a mid-rotation ceiling). The next "wave" is fairly raw (Peralta/Paulino/Arias/Maples, those guys) and a lot can go wrong. Getting more options would be nice, as Kurcz's ceiling is what it is.

Submitted by Charlie
on Mon, 04/23/2012 - 11:53am

Guess that makes sense. I'd be happy with either a high ceiling far away prospect or low floor ready soon arm (like Kurcz). I mean, I think Boston is gonna find out that even when Byrd is playing well his value is greatly overstated by the people who like the things he says and the way he carries himself.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 10:23am

per Muskat...lineup Sunday:

DeJesus rf, Campana cf, Castro ss, LaHair 1b, Soriano lf, Stewart 3b, Soto c, DeWitt 2b, Wells p

Submitted by Cubster
on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 10:56am

Nick Cough-Fart-Doo, ass-is-tant GM

from mlbtr...

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe thinks that the Red Sox should put Bard in the role of closer and recall Aaron Cook from Triple-A to fill in the back of the rotation.

and then the real ownership speaks...

After last night's game, Cherington, president Larry Lucchino, and principal owner John Henry met with Bobby Valentine. Not much was said after the meeting but in a brief phone interview with Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com, Henry said "This is not a 14-game problem, this is 41-game problem (including the Red Sox' 7-20 mark last September). Our pitching has been terrible over the last 41 regular season games."

so the cubs have a 16,000 game problem?

Submitted by toonsterwu
on Sun, 04/22/2012 - 12:43pm

I tend to sort of agree with Cafardo on the first suggestion. Bard looks like he could be a decent starter, but their pen is in such bad shape now, and it's hard to see who will deal pen arms at this early stage. If Cook falters, there's always some end of the rotation guys that are available (I mean, Lannan is available, as is Wells, amongst others).

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