Cubs Trade Tom Gorzelanny To The Nationals

The Chicago Cubs traded left handed starting pitcher Tom Gorzelanny to the Washington Nationals today, thus taking away from the surplus of starting pitchers that the Cubs had since the Matt Garza trade.

Ever since the Chicago Cubs traded for Matt Garza, the belief was that the Cubs were going to trade one of their starting pitchers with Tom Gorzelanny looking like the likely candidate. Over the weekend, we heard that the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, and the Nationals were all interested in Gorzelanny. Which is why the news that the Cubs traded Gorzelanny to the Nationals comes to no surprise to me.

Tom Gorzelanny actually had an impressive 2010 season for the Chicago Cubs as he spent time as a starter and a reliever. Gorzelanny finished the season with a record of 7-9 with an ERA of 4.09 and a WAR of 2.3. Gorzelanny was arbitration eligible and is expected to get a pay increase to $ 2 million, which is part of the reason why the Cubs decided to trade him. The Cubs now only have three players who are arbitration eligible in closer Carlos Marmol, reliever Sean Marshall and Starting Pitcher Matt Garza.

The Chicago Cubs received three prospects- 2 mid level pitchers, and an outfielder- in exchange for Gorzelanny. The outfielder coming to the Cubs is 22 year old Michael Burgess. Burgess spent time with the rookie level, single A, and Double A in the Nationals farm system in 2010. Burgess displayed raw power as he hit 20 home runs combined on all three levels, but his strikeout rate was concerning. Burgess’ strikeout percentage was a combined 30% on each of the three levels he spent time on this past season. The pitchers coming to the Cubs have yet to be announced.

All in all it was good trade for the Chicago Cubs. As by receiving three prospects for Gorzelanny, they are essentially re-stocking their farm system after the Matt Garza trade. In addition, Gorzelanny would have struggled to find a spot on the Cubs 25 man roster if he remained with them.