Quick Thoughts on the Latest Trade

First off, Epstein and Hoyer must really like Anthony Rizzo.  He has been a key player now involved in two big trades, the first being the acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez by the Red Sox when Epstein was GM there and Hoyer the GM in San Diego.  Now, essentially they have got him back in exchange for Andrew Cashner.

Rizzo is only 22 and has terrific numbers in the minors.  He was clearly over-matched last year when the Padres brought him up.  He batted like .140 and struck out nearly half the time, 46Ks in 128 ABs.  On the other hand he walked 31 times.  This kid has potential and the Cubs must think he was genuinely over-matched as they intend to start him out at AAA.  I could be wrong, but LaHair still may have a future even if he is displaced by Rizzo.  He played reasonably well in the outfield last season, at least as well defensively as Soriano did in LF.

Weighing against the Epstein/Hoyer assessment of Rizzo is the fact that the Padres clearly have given up on him, choosing instead to trade for the major league ready Yonder Alonso, who really can hit major league pitching right now.

This trade makes sense only if you regard Rizzo as potentially a franchise player and Cashner's role as limited to relief.  If you think Cashner is a potential starter, then you are giving up a commodity the Cubs can ill afford to squander.  That may be the case with Cashner.  San Diego intends to use him in the bullpen and pitchers with shoulder problems who throw 95+ usually don't come back and give you 200 innings.  In this matter, things could go either way and you have to trust the GM's judgment.

One refreshing aspect of the trade is that we do not have to endure another Moneyball explanation of the number of years we will control an unproved currently mediocre player as opposed to the older proven player we have given up on and would get nothing for if we allowed him to finish his contract, etc.

Whatever you think of the Zambrano deal, the explanation for paying him $18M to play for someone else in return for a pitcher who, whatever his potential, genuinely stinks right now makes absolutely no sense.