The Chicago Cubs have just made it official that they have claimed relief pitcher Daniel Bard of waivers from the Boston Red Sox. I wrote up a few days ago that I do expect Bard to be a member of the Cubs in days. Chris Cotillo had the inside scoop on the Cubs potentially landing Bard. As the corresponding move, the Cubs have desiganted OF Cole Gillespie for assignment.
Bard is an Epstein guy as he drafted him in 2006 when he was the Red Sox general manager. Bard, only 28-years old, still has a lot of potential and can be a major impact to the Cubs bullpen next year.
Gillespie has no part in the Cubs future and him being designating for assignment doesn’t surprise me. But I’m surprise he was DFA first over Darnell McDonald of whom never sees the field. I think there’s a great chance McDonald is DFA when the Cubs activate Scott Baker off the 60-day DL. If the Cubs need OF help, they can always call up Matt Szczur of whom is on the 40-man roster and no move will have to be made.
I’m looking forward to seeing what Bard can do to end the season. If he can find the strike zone again, he can be deadly and that’s what the Cubs are hoping for.
Earlier today, the Cubs made another roster move by calling up RP Chang-Long Lim. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Lim, the Cubs designated Michael Bowden for assignment. I thought Bowden would be DFA in the off-season, so I had a feeling the move was on the way. Lim is a strikeout pitcher and is a hard pitcher vs. righties.
If all goes to plan, we could very well see a bullpen of Pedro Strop, Zack Rosscup, Chang-Long Lim, Daniel Bard, Blake Parker and Carlos Villanueva next season.
I have a feeling James Russell will be traded in the off-season and Kevin Gregg will sign elsewhere. Possibly the last bullpen spot willgo to Arodys Vizcaino, but I think the Cubs are going to try him as a starter. Plus, Kyuji Fujikawa is expected to return sometime next season.
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