According to a report from Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are close to a deal that would send Jason Marquis along with cash to the Colorado Rockies for reliever Luis Vizcaino. The trade is not expected to be announced until next week.
Rumors have suggested in recent days the two teams were discussing a deal but a report on Monday indicated the Rockies could not afford to absorb any of Marquis’ $9.875 million dollar salary for next season. Rosenthal indicated the cash going to Colorado would be less than $1 million dollars.
Updated 7:08pm C.T. – Joel Sherman reported on XM Radio minutes ago that the Marquis deal is done. The Cubs have traded Jason Marquis along with a million dollars to the Rockies for Luis Vizcaino. XM Radio is the only source at this point reporting the deal is done…..will update if more information becomes available. The Sun-Times reported that Milton Bradley could be next. Luis Vizcaino is owed $3.5 million for next season and the $5 to $6 million the Cubs would save by trading Marquis could be used to sign Milton Bradley.
Vizcaino has a club option for 2010 worth $4 million dollars with a $500,00 buyout. The option becomes guaranteed if he pitches in 68 games in 2009.
The right-hander was 1-2 in 43 games last season for the Rockies with a 5.28 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP while teams hit .267 against him. Those numbers were not inflated by the thin air in Denver….he was 0-2 in 19 games on the road with a 7.20 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. During the day….0-1 in 15 games with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.
In 2007 Vizcaino posted an 8-2 record in 77 games with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP and on the road he was 3-0 with a 2.77 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.
Vizcaino has pitched in 16 games at Wrigley and is 1-2 with a 6.61 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP (12 runs, all earned, on 15 hits in 16 1/3 innings with 8 home runs allowed).
Vizcaino was arrested on a DUI charge in October.
MLB.com and other outlets have begun reporting the deal is close…..stay tuned.
Updated 7:17pm C.T. – Joel Sherman reported on XM Radio that his sources indicated the Cubs will give Sean Marshall and Rich Hill a shot to win the fifth spot in the Cubs’ rotation in the spring. Sherman said that dealing Jason Marquis does not mean they would make another run at Jake Peavy. The Rockies like the offense Marquis can give them when he pitches at Coors Field.
Sherman added the Mets were interested in acquiring Marquis.