The Cubs traded Ryan Dempster to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday for two minor leaguers. Dempster reportedly was holding out for a deal to the Dodgers but agreed to waive his 10-5 rights in order to be traded to the Rangers. Dempster said the deal with the Rangers was completed five minutes before the deadline. Dempster and Geovany Soto are expected to report to Texas on Wednesday. Dempster said he received a very good scouting report on the organization from Greg Maddux.
The Cubs acquired two minor leaguers in the deal, RHP Kyle Hendricks and infielder Christian Villanueva. Hendricks and Villanueva were playing for the Rangers High-A affiliate in the Carolina League. Baseball America ranked Christian Villanueva as the 100th best prospect in baseball prior to this season. Villanueva is mainly a third baseman but has played second as well. Villanueva is 5-foot-11, 160 pounds, hits and throws right-handed. The 21-year old (June 19, 1991) hit .285/.356/.421/.777 in 100 games this season with 19 doubles, one triple and 10 home runs.
Christian Villanueva’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Right-hander Kyle Hendricks was taken in the eighth round of the 2011 draft. The 22-year old (December 7, 1989) put together solid numbers this season in High-A ball. Hendricks is a strike thrower (112 strikeouts and 15 walks in 130 2/3 innings). Hendricks was 5-8 in 20 starts with a 2.82 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP with 123 hits allowed.
Kyle Hendricks’ Page on Baseball-Reference
The Cubs 40-man roster now stands at 39 players.
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