Garza to Cubs, Rays Reloading

This news is a little bit old, but between working and watching the Seahawks, this post had to wait. The Cubs acquired Matt Garza from the Rays in an eight-player swap. The other seven players involved are minor-leaguers, though some have accumulated time in the majors.

Chicago acquired two other players along with Garza. Here are brief looks at both of them:

• OF Fernando Perez - Perez has some speed, which likely means defense too, because he can't really hit. He will walk some, but that's almost concerning. The strikeouts are still remarkably high, even with plate discipline, suggesting that there are some serious holes in his swing. At 26 years old, Perez likely is what he is, and that's a pinch-runner/defensive replacement at best. He is minor league depth.
• LHP Zach Rosscup - Rosscup is a classic throw-in. He is rather young (22 years old), with few professional innings, all in the lower levels of the minors. The innings he has logged have been productive. Some Cubs scout must like something about Rosscup, because there is nothing to go off of (good or bad) with his professional production so far.

Now, on to the five players the Rays received in the trade: