Cubs Acquire Pitcher and Former Top Prospect Jharel Cotton in Trade With Athletics
By Sean Facey
The Chicago Cubs are making savvy moves to get younger in their starting rotation.
The squad from the North Side has acquired right-handed pitcher and former top prospect Jharel Cotton from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for cash considerations. Cotton was recently designated for assignment following his attempted recovery from Tommy John surgery.
The Cubs acquired pitcher Jharel Cotton from Oakland for a cash consideration. Cotton missed the 2018 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and recently got DFA’d by the A’s.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) November 23, 2019
His big league sample size is less than impressive. Through 29 career starts, the 27-year-old owns a 4.95 ERA, logging just 105 strikeouts and coughing up 32 home runs. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2017.
With that being said, he still has plenty of potential. Cotton showed swing-and-miss stuff during his stint in the minors this year, and though the 7.16 ERA may look awful on the surface, the right-hander has tools for the Cubs to work with.
Cubs Acquire Jharel Cotton From Athletics https://t.co/FHUh5Kn5p7 pic.twitter.com/Hlr8xSjJCr
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 23, 2019
In case you don't remember, Cotton was one of the prospects the Dodgers traded to the A's in 2016 in exchange for Josh Reddick and Rich Hill.
It might not be the most flashy acquisition of the offseason, but it's something that has plenty of possible routes that could benefit the team in the long run.
Cotton may end up turning out to be a valuable acquisition for the Cubs in 2020.