Chicago Cubs News: Looking back on Matt Garza trade; the Ryan Court story

The Chicago Cubs split the squad up against the Cleveland Indians on Saturday. We look at the trade that brought Justin Grimm to the Cubs nearly five years ago.

Really, it was more of the same for the Chicago Cubs in St. Patrick’s Day action. In the nightcap of split-squad action, the offense pounded three homers – including one from Addison Russell. Jose Quintana was lights-out, striking out eight over six innings of work.

We’re now less than two weeks from Opening Day and everything seems to be falling into place for the Cubs. With one glaring exception. Just exactly who will fill the vacated bullpen spot left in the wake of Justin Grimm’s release remains to be seen. Eddie Butler makes sense from a contractual standpoint, but Joe Maddon has some other options in his mind.

One of those names? Dillon Maples. The right-hander has elite stuff – but control issues plagued him throughout his young career. If he can iron those out, he could be the next big thing in the Chicago pen.

Speaking of Grimm, we decided to reflect on the 2013 trade that brought the right-hander to the North Side. Carl Edwards remains the only other piece of that deal with any real big-league value at this point. Still, the Cubs came out on top when it was all said and done.

These and other stories that you might have missed:

‘Maples could force his way onto the roster in 2018’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Maddon not masking excitement about pen’ – MLB.com

‘Cubs’ Ryan Court experiencing Spring success’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Anything possible for Cubs offense expecting breakout year’ – The Athletic

‘Looking back at the Matt Garza trade’ – Cubbies Crib

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