TRACHSEL REJOINS CUBS
The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Steve Trachsel from the Baltimore Orioles for pitcher Rocky Cherry and minor-league third baseman Scott Moore.
What does it give the Chicago Cubs
With five good starters and the second-best ERA from their rotation in the National League, the Cubs have simply deepened their best asset by acquiring Trachsel. It's unclear exactly how they'll use the veteran righty, who was drafted by the Cubs in 1991 and pitched nearly six seasons for them. He was having a decent season in Baltimore, but not as good as any of the Cubs' current starters, so he may pitch middle relief, serving as an insurance policy in case any of their guys go down in the rotation. Still, they gave up an awful lot here for a one-month insurance policy.
What does it give the Baltimore Orioles
A bad team like the O's don't need a guy like Trachsel at this point in the season and they did a pretty impressive job of obtaining some useable, young assets in return. At 28, Cherry isn't exactly young, but looked pretty good in his first 12 appearances in the majors earlier this year out of the Chicago bullpen. He's a big, hard-throwing righty who could become a solid big-league setup man right away. Moore is a good, power-hitting third baseman actually ranked the Cubs' No. 7 prospect entering the season. He's your typical all-or-nothing slugger who will strike out a lot but also hit his share of longballs. The Orioles could give him a shot at first base in the near future.
Fantasy impact
