The Chicago Cubs have officially announced a trade that will send relief pitcher Sean Marshall to the Cincinnati Red in exchange for Travis Wood, Dave Sappelt and Ronald Torreyes. Details of the trade broke earlier today, but it didn't take the Cubs long to announce the deal via their official twitter account:
#Cubs acquire LHP Travis Wood, OF Dave Sappelt & INF Ronald Torreyes from #Reds for LHP Sean Marshall.
— Chicago Cubs (@CubsInsider) December 23, 2011
Marshall is a 29 year-old pitcher converted by the Cubs from a starter to a reliever in 2010, who has been very effective out of the bullpen and has posted a 2.45 ERA over 150 innings in the last two seasons combined. The Cubs may look to replace Marshall in the bullpen with prospect and the organization's 2011 minor league pitcher of the year, Jeff Beliveau. The 24-year old pitcher produced a combined 6-2 record with five saves and a 1.57 ERA in 53 relief appearances between Single-A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee in 2011.
Travis Wood is a 25-year-old left-handed starting pitcher who split the past two seasons between Cincinnati and the organization's Triple-A affiliate. He posted a 4.84 ERA in 106 innings with the Reds in 2011, but was much better in 102 innings with the Reds in 2010, posting a 3.51 ERA. He was named the 2009 Minor League Pitcher of the Year in the Reds' organization and the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher as well after posting a 13-5 record and a 1.77 ERA. It is projected with with his current service time he will not reach free agency until 2016. Here is what Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue has to say about the deal with Wood as the primary return:
I like the Sean Marshall deal. Travis Wood isn't a No. 1 starter, but he could become a solid No. 3, and at age 25 does have upside. And the Cubs haven't had a regular LH starter since Ted Lilly was sent to the Dodgers a year and a half ago. With two prospects coming in the deal, it looks like a win for the Cubs. I was a fan of Marshall's, but this is the perfect time to deal a guy like that. The angst I've heard from some Cubs fans about Marshall's departure is misplaced.
Wood likely became expendable for the Reds after the team acquired starting pitcher Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres last Saturday. In an interesting connection, Wood actually made his major league debut against the Cubs at Wrigley field on July 1, 2010, a game in which he gave up only two hits over seven innings.
Sappelt is a 24-year old outfielder and former 9th-round pick in the 2008 amateur draft who stands 5'9" and hits right-handed. In 33 games with the Reds in 2011, he hit .243/.289/.318. In 74 games played in 2011 for the organization's Triple-A affiliate, he hit .313/.377/.458. As for Torreyes, he is a 19-year old infielder who hit .356/.398/.457 in Single-A ball over 67 games in 2011.
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