MLB: Cubs Trade Gorzelanny To Nationals for Prospects

[cigaretteman]

The dominoes set in play by the Matt Garza trade are still falling. The Cubs have reportedly dealt Tom Gorzelanny to the Washington Nationals for three prospects, according to ESPNChicago.com.

One of the prospects is expected to be power-hitting outfield prospect Michael Burgess, according to FOXSports.com.

The move should clear some payroll now that Garza and his $5 million or so contract (he made $3.35 million last year and is due a raise in arbitration) are on the club's books. Gorzelanny's salary is expected to be in the $1 million neighborhood in 2011.

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/17/report-cubs-trade-tom-gorzelanny-to-nationals-for-prospects/

Edit: Here's a Washington Post article on the trade.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/17/AR2011011704198.html

 

[pyrocyz]

Was he projected to be in the starting rotation?

 

[CYdTracked]

He wasn't necessarily going to be in the rotation but he was amongst the several guys competing for that #5 spot. Gorz has never really taken that next step in his career, he had some nice outings with the Pirates and showed flashes of what he could be with the Cubs too but he could never maintain it consistently enough to keep his spot in the rotation.

 

[mred]

Zambrano, Dempster, and Garza have rotation spots guaranteed. Silva and Wells are likely the other two, but Cashner and Samardzija will also be competing for those spots. Gorzelanny had quite a bit of competition.

I liked Gorzelanny and thought he was a good #4/#5 starter. There just wasn't room for him.

 

[pyrocyz]

Thanks. How good of prospects did you get?

 

[CYdTracked]

I'm guessing the Cubs rotation is going to look something like

(1-3 could be any combination)
Dempster
Garza
Zambrano
4: Wells
5: winner from Silva, Cashner, or Russell, guessing Samardzija also in the mix?

 

[dtclones]

Please God, not Samardzija...

Overall, a minor deal but it's good to get a somewhat decent prospect to replenish our farm system after the Garza deal. I think the guy the Cubs got has only played in A and AA so who knows what they really got.

 

[mred]

Cubs also have Casey Coleman and Thomas Diamond to compete for spots in the rotation, and have even talked about James Russell converting to starter. The Cubs have no shortage of pitchers to compete for those last two spots.

Cubs add depth with three prospects they acquired in trade with Nationals | MLB.com: News

Burgess was just outside the top 10 when ranking the Nationals top prospects. He sounds like he has plate discipline issues but is a pretty good line-drive hitter.

Morris looks to project to middle relief/setup. Hicks is likely just filler.

It's a good haul considering Tom Gorzelanny was the other side of the trade.