Cubs signal excitement over Braxton Garrett trade with latest roster move

The impression from the Chicago Cubs' trade for Braxton Garrett was that the former Miami Marlins first-round pick would factor into the conversation next season. He's healthy after having Tommy John surgery, and had been having success with the Marlins' Triple-A affiliate, but not to the extent that his arrival would upstage that of Kevin Gausman or Clay Holmes.

As it turns out, the Cubs had other plans. While Garrett still figures to be in the starting rotation next season, his first appearance with his new team will be out of bullpen. Ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Cubs recalled Garrett from Triple-A Iowa while optioning Tyler Ferguson for assignment.

Ferguson was among the parade of veteran pitchers the Cubs took a flier on during the months leading up to the deadline. While Ferguson found success in his stint in the bullpen, the fact he has minor-league options remaining made him a clear roster casualty after the deadline. He's not the only one, and once Clay Holmes is activated this weekend, there will be more gymnastics required.

Still, Ferguson deserves praise for doing his part. He posted an ERA of 3.45 through 16 appearances, striking out over 30% of the hitters he faced. He was also walking under 4% of the hitters faced, so there is some suprise that he was among the first wave of roster moves following the deadline. Nonetheless, there remains a good chance Ferguson is back in Chicago before the end of the season.

Turns out the Cubs had immediate plans for Braxton Garrett after their trade with the Miami Marlins

While the assumption was Garrett wouldn't be viewed as a contributor to the pitching staff this season, circumstances created the need for the Cubs to have a bulk guy in the bullpen for the weekend.

Colin Rea started against the New York Yankees last Sunday, and Javier Assad got the start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. Over the next day or two, if the Cubs were in a spot where they needed someone to eat multiple innings out of the bullpen, they didn't have an option available.

That is likely the box Garrett checks before a return to Iowa to remain stretched out as starting pitcher. Having too much pitching is a reality the Cubs haven't had for most of this season, and this roster move just proves how successful the deadline was for Jed Hoyer.

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