Chicago Cubs News: Adrian Sampson and Manny Rodriguez dealt to Tampa Bay Rays

The Chicago Cubs completed a minor-league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline.

Given the roster limitations looming at the minor league level, the move seemingly was done as a way for the Cubs to clear space. All the players involved were set to be minor-league free agents at the end of the season.

Sampson was pivotal to the success that the Cubs' starting rotation had during the second half of the 2022 season. After Sampson lost out on the fifth starter's job out of Spring Training this season to Hayden Wesneski, he suffered a knee injury in April with the Iowa Cubs.

Sampson was placed on the 60-day IL as a result of the knee injury and that also served as a way for the Cubs to sneak him off the 40-man roster.

Manny Rodriguez returned to the Cubs on a minor-league deal last off-season but the team never showed an inclination toward using him at the Major League level.

Josh Roberson was on the Rays' 40-man roster and has yet to make an appearance at the Major League level. In 31 appearances with the Rays' Triple-A affiliate this season, Roberson has posted a 4.50 ERA. The Cubs may see something in Roberson that they can fine-tune with their pitch lab. Roberson is eligible for the Rule V draft this winter.

Not every deal that happens on deadline day is significant and that would certainly apply to this deal between the Cubs and Rays. The Cubs are still in the market for help at the Major League level, specifically their bullpen, before the deadline later this evening.

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