The Cubs made another roster move just prior to Wednesday’s finale with Miami and claimed RHP Daniel Bard off waivers from the Red Sox. To make room on the 40-man roster, Cole Gillespie was designated for assignment. Gillespie was in Wednesday’s starting lineup.
The Cubs’ front office is obviously very familiar with Daniel Bard. Theo Epstein and Jason McLeod selected Bard in the first round of the 2006 draft. The 28-year old right hander was designated for assignment by Boston on Monday.
The Cubs’ 40-man roster stands at 4o players with these two moves and the active roster was reduced to 31 players.
Daniel Bard was very, very good as the primary set-up man to Jonathan Papelbon, but has not been the same since the Red Sox tried to make him a starter last year. Bard has not been able to throw strikes and in 16 games this season in three stops in the Sox’s system, Bard walked 27 batters with only nine strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings.
As a reliever, even with his struggles over the past two seasons, Bard is 6-13 in 201 games with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. In 203 innings, Bard struck out 218 batters, walked 85 and surrendered only 141 hits.
If the Cubs can get him back on track, Daniel Bard could be a very good pick-up for a bullpen that is in need of a major overhaul. Bard has one minor league option year remaining so the Cubs have time, and options, with Bard.
Over the past two days, the Cubs have added LHP Zac Rosscup, RHP Chang-Yong Lim and RHP Daniel Bard to the 40-man roster. While the Cubs added one former first round pick of the Red Sox to the mix on Wednesday, they let another one go in Michael Bowden.
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer appear to be focused on auditioning relievers this September.
Daniel Bard’s Page on Baseball-Reference