Organizational Recap – A Series Win and a Trade

THE TRADE – If you missed the news yesterday, the Cubs made a trade with the Mariners for bullpen help. The Cubs acquired left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery and right-handed pitcher Jordan Pries in exchange for Paul Blackburn and Dan Vogelbach. Montgomery is the arm that immediately helps this pen with another lefty, who has pitched to lefties to the tune of a .164 / .269 / .254 split line. He’s a young, cost controlled guy who throws in the low to mid-90’s on his fastball and uses as cutter, curveball and a change. My one concern about how well he’s done against lefties is his BABIP of just .204. That has to balance out over the long haul and since he’s not a massive strikeout guy (under 1 per inning), I worry a little, but overall I like the move. Vogelbach did not have a place on this team and was doing well in AAA this year. He didn’t have the makings of being a centerpiece to a huge deal for someone like Andrew Miller or Aroldis Chapman, but he brought back and arm and I can see the Cubs continuing to shop. To be honest, I’m more upset about the loss of Blackburn, who was developing nicely and moving along through the system. I saw him starting next year with Iowa with a shot to make the rotation as a call up if needed. It is what it is and now we hope Montgomery helps solidify things a little more back there in the pen with the rotation appearing to get back on track.

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