Two minor trades were done in baseball within the last two days to add to National League contending rosters, both of which sit in first place in their respective divisions. First, the Chicago Cubs added to their bullpen by acquiring Derek Holland from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations. The Cubs also sent cash out west in the trade, as the deal was announced Friday before their game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The team also recalled Ian Happ from Triple-A Iowa.
Holland will be used to face left-handed batters late in games, as they are batting just .182 against him this season. The 32-year-old was designated for assignment by the Giants on Monday, this after giving up four earned runs at home against the New York Mets last Saturday. He did pitch well to start the summer off, posting an ERA of 0.68 in 10 appearances in June. Although, he did start the season as the No. 2 starter in the Giants' starting rotation, but went 2-4 with a 5.90 ERA and 71 strikeouts before his move to the bullpen. An index finger injury also hampered him a bit this year, but pitching in the Windy City, atop a division, may get the better side of him.
The NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers added a bat to their roster from their World Series rival, Houston Astros, acquiring Tyler White in exchange for minor league relief pitcher Andre Scrubb. The 28-year-old was designated for assignment last Saturday, and now adds some pop in an already powerful Dodger lineup. In his four-year major league career, he has hit .241 with 26 home runs and 101 RBI.
Holland will be used to face left-handed batters late in games, as they are batting just .182 against him this season. The 32-year-old was designated for assignment by the Giants on Monday, this after giving up four earned runs at home against the New York Mets last Saturday. He did pitch well to start the summer off, posting an ERA of 0.68 in 10 appearances in June. Although, he did start the season as the No. 2 starter in the Giants' starting rotation, but went 2-4 with a 5.90 ERA and 71 strikeouts before his move to the bullpen. An index finger injury also hampered him a bit this year, but pitching in the Windy City, atop a division, may get the better side of him.
The NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers added a bat to their roster from their World Series rival, Houston Astros, acquiring Tyler White in exchange for minor league relief pitcher Andre Scrubb. The 28-year-old was designated for assignment last Saturday, and now adds some pop in an already powerful Dodger lineup. In his four-year major league career, he has hit .241 with 26 home runs and 101 RBI.
