Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was on the phone up until the 5 p.m. trade deadline, feeling out potential last-minute deals. None was close, he said, when time ran out. So, the Cubs didn’t add a lefty, or any experienced arm, to their bullpen.
“We tried pretty hard,” president of Hoyer said. “But not all deals come together. [Jeimer Candelario] was certainly the priority, and the one we went after the hardest and were most aggressive on.”
They beat out robust competition for Candelario to acquire him on Monday. And they did add bullpen depth, starting Monday with the acquisition of Royals right-hander Jose Cuas. Then, Tuesday morning they executed a minor-league trade, sending right-handers Manuel Rodriguez and Adrian Sampson, plus international signing bonus pool space, to the Rays for right-hander Josh Roberson.
“It’s important to work on small deals as well as the big deals at the deadline,” Hoyer said.
Roberson, a 12th-round pick in the 2017 draft, was a non-roster invitee in Rays major-league camp this spring. The reliever went on to post a 4.50 ERA in Triple-A.
“Certainly a live arm,” Hoyer said. “And a guy that we’re excited to get in our system and see what our guys can do with him.”
As of Tuesday evening, they were still discussing the plan for Cuas. He has minor-league options, so they don’t need to add him to the major-league team right away.
“Cuas is a guy that we had targeted for a bit,” Hoyer said.
Rodriguez was considered a budding back-end reliever when he made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2021. But he missed much of last season with a strained right elbow, returning from the 60-day IL in late August. He has spent this season in Triple-A, recording a 4.42 ERA.
Sampson agreed to a $1.9 million contract to avoid arbitration and was in the mix for a starting rotation spot to begin spring training. But he struggled in spring, began the season in Triple-A, and then sustained a series of injuries.
Mancini DFA’d
To make room for Candelario on the roster, the Cubs designated first baseman Trey Mancini for assignment. Mancini signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Cubs this offseason, but he was hitting .234 in inconsistent at-bats.
“It felt like the right time,” Hoyer said. “He struggled with us, and he probably wasn’t going to get many plate appearances going forward. It happens.
“He’s a great teammate, and he worked really hard. And sometimes guys come in and play above expectations, and in this case that didn’t happen. Wish him the best.”
Candelario will play a “significant amount” of first base, manager David Ross said. Patrick Wisdom will also likely play some first base against left-handed opposing pitchers, Hoyer added.
“A really high quality person,” second baseman Nico Hoerner said of Mancini, “and I hope that he continues to get opportunities.”
Cubs promote Horton
The Cubs promoted pitching prospect Cade Horton to Double-A, according to a source. Horton was the Cubs’ No. 7 overall pick last year. He’s climbed up through the ranks quickly, after starting in Single-A.
