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The Ex-Cub Factor

By Steve Rhodes

One in an occasional series tracking the movements of former Cubs.
With the trade deadline passed, Carl Edwards Jr., Martin Maldonado and prospects Paul Richan, Alex Lange and Thomas Hatch are now officially ex-Cubs.
I’m sure we’ll see their names again in this column. Meanwhile . . .


1. Zac Rosscup.
The Dodgers just sold him and his 5.00 ERA (7.89 FIP) to the Cardinals for cash – I don’t know how much cash, but he’s a Cardinal now so the Cubs might even (hopefully) see him tonight!
2. Jason Motte.
The one-time Cardinals closer went 8-1 for the 2015 Cubs, with six saves and a 3.61 FIP. He retired after spending the 2017 season with Atlanta, but is mentioned here because he was seen on the field at Busch Stadium at the start of the current Cubs-Cardinals series.


*
Adding:


3. Edwin Jackson.
Is a Mud Hen now.
4. Eddie Butler.
Eddie was known to have an anger management problem when he was with the Cubs, and apparently things haven’t changed that much. From June, playing for the NC Dinos in the Korean league:

The Dinos released Butler about a month later, in early July.
5. Drew Smyly.
He’s feeling like a whole new pitcher in Philly.
6. Wade Davis.
Sharp on the road, putrid at home.
7. Josh Donaldson.
“Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson smacked his 200th career home run [last month], a feat the Cubs were no doubt hoping he’d achieve in their uniform when they selected him 48th in the 2007 draft. The former Auburn Tiger never hit a single dinger for the club, though, and changed organizations a little over 12 months after the Cubs drafted him. It was exactly 11 years ago today, on July 8, 2008, that Chicago dealt Donaldson to Oakland. It’s now safe to say the Donaldson pickup has been among the best of A’s executive Billy Beane’s impressive tenure with the franchise.
“Beane sent veteran right-handers Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin to the Cubs, acquiring Donaldson, outfielders Eric Patterson and Matt Murton, and righty Sean Gallagher in return. When the deal was consummated, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes noted it was the Cubs’ counterattack after the NL Central rival Brewers acquired lefty CC Sabathia from the Indians the day before.”
8. Tim Federowicz.
The Rangers are expected to DFA him on Friday.
9. Jeimer Candelerio.
Might be moving to first base.
10. Danny Hultzen.
The comeback story continues, as do the accolades.

Comments welcome.

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Posted on August 1, 2019