According to a report from Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs traded Joey Gathright to the Orioles for utility man Ryan Freel.
Reports surfaced following Thursday night’s game against the Astros that Joey Gathright would be sent to the minors once he cleared waivers to make room for Randy Wells. The Cubs have not made a roster move for Friday and the addition of Ryan Freel will likely send Bobby Scales back to Iowa.
Updated – 4:06pm C.T. – Joey Gathright was outrighted to the minors before the trade which created room on the active roster for Randy Wells.
Ryan Freel will report to the Cubs on Saturday according to the Sun-Times and be activated then. The Cubs will have to make abother roster move before Saturday night’s game. The Cubs will pay the remainder of Joey Gathright’s $800,000 contract for this season while the Orioles will pay what is still owed of Ryan Freel’s $3.3 million for this season. Ken Rosenthal called the deal “cash-neutral” according to his source.
Freel will give the Cubs a utility player that can play all three outfield spots as well as second and third. Freel had a history of injuries in his days with the Reds and is coming off a rehab assignment with the Oriolies.
Ryan Freel’s Stat Page from Yahoo
Stay Tuned….will update when more information becomes available