The Cubs have claimed Jason Berken off of waivers from the Orioles, Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com reports (on Twitter). Baltimore had designated the right-hander for assignment four days ago in order to free up roster space for Zach Phillips.
Berken spent most of the 2012 season at Triple-A, where he posted a 3.50 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 26 starts. The 28-year-old appeared in just one game with Baltimore this year, but he was a fixture in the Orioles' rotation in 2009 and in their bullpen from 2010-11. The Cubs claimed right-hander Miguel Socolovich off of waivers from Baltimore less than a month ago.
In an attempt to re-stock the farm with serviceable arms that could possibly be traded down the road, the Cubs will claim any one with a pulse and an ERA under 5. And the pulse is negotiable.
“The ERA under 5” bit is a myth. Just so long as they can move their arm in a manner consistent with that of a professional pitcher, they’re probably getting picked up.
When asked for comment, Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio could only muster “Ermahgerd. Meh fervrite Berken.”
Claim all the players.
Not too long ago the O’s fans were whining about all the ex-Cubs they were collecting. Now, it’s the Cubs collecting ex-Orioles. Who imagined a year ago that the Orioles would be shedding players from their 40-man roster that other teams would want?
sadly, I remember when the O’s were so bad that he had his own t-shirt giveaway night
And once again, the Cubs claim a player I have never heard of before! Fantasticm, 2013 is our year!
Berken could actually be decent. Possibly.
to be fair, he has had dominant stretches before out of the pen, but overall he’s nothing special