The Cubs defeated the Marlins 5-1 on Thursday at Wrigley Field, to complete a 5-1 homestand. Oh, and somehow, they've managed to put together the best record in all of MLB since June 25th. Believe me, I don't get it either.
But, while that's all fun, what the Cubs do before the July 31st trade deadline is the much more important situation at hand in the grand scheme of things (summarized: sorry to break it to you, but the Cubs aren't making the playoffs this year). And we just got some news that may get the ball rolling for some major Cubs trades to happen.
The Cubs just acquired pitcher Justin Germano from the Red Sox for cash, and designated right-hander Jairo Asencio for assignment (source: Cubs' Twitter).
Germano, 30, has pitched for the Padres, Reds, Indians, and Red Sox in seven major league seasons, compiling an 8-20 record, 4.91 ERA, and 1.384 WHIP in that span. The 6'2", 230-pound right-hander made a start for the Red Sox on July 7th against the Yankees, and tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings. He pitched in 17 games (16 starts) at triple-A Pawtuckett this season, putting together a 9-4 record and 2.40 ERA.
Asencio, 28, was claimed off waivers from the Braves by the Cubs on June 1st. He had a fine 3.07 ERA for the Cubs in 12 appearances, but that ERA should be considered extremely lucky when you factor in the 12 hits and 11 walks he allowed in 14 2/3 innings pitched.
Reports are that right-hander Casey Coleman (currently on Iowa's roster) is joining the Cubs tomorrow, and will officially be a part of the 25-man roster if Justin Germano doesn't arrive in time. But, that could just be the Cubs covering up the fact that they're having Coleman hang around because they have a deal in the works for Ryan Dempster, who was expected to be traded by his next scheduled start, which is... tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
