The Cubs have claimed right-hander Carlos Gutierrez off waivers from the Twins, reports ESPN Chicago's Doug Padilla (on Twitter). In a corresponding move, Chicago designated catcher Anthony Recker for assignment to clear 40-man roster space.
Gutierrez, 26, has battled injuries since Minnesota selected him with the 27th overall pick in the 2008 draft. He moved to the bullpen full-time last year and posted a 4.62 ERA in 62 1/3 relief innings for the Twins' Triple-A affiliate. Gutierrez repeated the level this year, but only threw 16 innings (5.06 ERA) due to injury.
Recker, 29, hit .143/.263/.245 in 58 plate appearances for the Athletics and Cubs this season. Chicago originally acquired him from Oakland back in August. Recker is a .277/.359/.474 career hitter in over 1,200 plate appearances at the Triple-A level.
Theo: hmmm, gutierrez on waivers…. may as well, right?
Jed: rock paper scissors you for it?
McLeod: why don’t you two row sham bow over it instead?
Future WS MVP
Low-risk, potential high-reward pitcher. It costs the Cubs nothing to get him…other than a AAA back-up catcher. Good waiver claim, in my opinion.
…and he was never heard from again.
yeah. right now they just need inning eaters. no need to spend millions on players who will have minimal impact over the next two years.
no we claim guys with any and all ERAs, we don’t discriminate in our search for arms.