Cubs bolster bullpen, add backup catcher

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EV Whore
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http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/245505228/cubs-trade-for-tigers-justin-wilson-avila/

They has now added Quintana, a shutdown lefty, and a backup catcher...without touching the major league roster.


CHICAGO -- The Cubs' bid to repeat as World Series champions got a boost on Monday. Their strong start in the second half prompted the front office to make another move, acquiring left-handed reliever Justin Wilson and backup catcher Alex Avila from the Tigers.
The Cubs dipped into their farm system once again, sending top prospect Jeimer Candelario, Class A shortstop Isaac Paredes and a player to be named later or cash to the Tigers in exchange for Wilson and Avila.


At the All-Star break, the Cubs were 5 1/2 games behind the Brewers in the National League Central. They got a jump on their rivals by acquiring left-hander Jose Quintana from the White Sox on July 13, well before Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. Since then, the Cubs are 13-3 and have opened a 2 1/2-game lead over the Brewers.
Wilson, 29, was 3-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 42 games this season, and holding right-handers to a .131 batting average while lefties were hitting .220 against him. He gives the Cubs another late-innings setup pitcher, something manager Joe Maddon can always use.
"My biggest concern would be that the guy you'd really like to match up in the seventh or eighth [innings], you get on a roll, and then you start using these guys too much in a good way," Maddon said this weekend in Milwaukee. "Depth is what you're looking for, that high-leverage, late-inning guy who you're really comfortable with so you can spread the work out more evenly."
Wilson, who has 13 saves in 15 chances, is making $2.7 million this year and has one more year of arbitration left before he becomes a free agent. His addition would give the Cubs three lefties in the bullpen, joining Mike Montgomery and Brian Duensing. The Cubs' bullpen ranks second in the National League with a 3.37 ERA.
The Cubs have been looking for an experienced catcher to back up Willson Contreras since parting ways with Miguel Montero in late June. The Cubs did promote rookie Victor Caratini, who hit his first Major League home run on Sunday in a 4-2 win over the Brewers. Avila, 30, was batting .271 in 76 games with the Tigers. He will be a free agent after this season.la's solo home run to left
"I think they'll do whatever they think is best," Chicago first baseman Anthony Rizzo said Sunday about the Cubs' front office. "If you ask everyone in here, we're really confident with our team to make a deep run. It's something we can't control. I think they'll do what's best for the organization short term and long term."
Candelario, 23, was batting .266 with 12 home runs and 27 doubles in 81 games at Triple-A Iowa. He took over the No. 1 spot on MLBPipeline.com's list of top 30 prospects when the team dealt Eloy Jimenez to the White Sox for Quintana. Paredes, 18, was hitting .264 in 92 games at Class A South Bend, and ranked No. 10 on MLBPipeline.com's list.



 

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Good long run coming probably, they havent been this healthy for awhile and are playing better
 

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