The Cubs didn't waste any time after Scott Hairston's late inning near heroics in trading him to the Nationals for an unnamed Class A pitcher. I can't say I fault this deal, whatever it is worth. Hairston hit 8 home runs, but he was otherwise not much of a factor. He was hitting less than .200 and hardly ever played. When he did play in the field, he was pretty awful. Plus their minor league system has a whole bunch of right-handed hitting outfielders waiting in the wings, so it is not like they need the guy for even the near-term future. The Cubs pick up a net savings of between $2.5 and $3MM in the deal, depending on how much of Hairston's salary they have to pick up. Reports show it isn't much.
Kevin Gregg blew the save, but the Cubs managed to come back in the 11th to pick up the win Sunday. Despite Gregg's flop, the bullpen, at least temporarily, has benefited from being retooled. Guerrier has picked up several quality innings, as has Strop.
The Cubs play the White Sox Monday night and then host the Angels for two games before the Cardinals series that leads to the All-Star Break. With Garza, Wood, and Samardzija set to start the first three games, the Cubs look like they might extend their mini-streak of victories, at least until the Cards come to town.
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