Cubs trade reliever to Dodgers for utility infielder Zach McKinstry |
According to multiple reports on Saturday, the Chicago Cubs have traded veteran reliever Chris Martin for 27-year-old utility infielder Zach McKinstry.
McKinstry has only 11 at-bats this season for the Dodgers, and the one hit he had was a home run. This trade should allow McKinstry to get more playing time in the majors this season with the Cubs as he wasn't getting much in Los Angeles. He is a versatile defender that has the ability to play 2B, 3B, LF, CF, and RF. Martin has pitched in 38 games this season in Chicago with a 4.31 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. However, he was a strikeout machine with 40Ks in 31.1 innings and only allowed four walks during that span. 24 of his 34 appearances this season have been scoreless. He is owed around $1 million for the rest of the season. He signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Cubs this past offseason. The previous three seasons he played for the Braves, including winning a World Series last year. More reactions to follow soon on CubsHQ.com on this breaking news story. I had Zach McKinstry 11th in the system, and I’m starting to feel like that might’ve been a tad bit low.
Zack McKinstry, 27, played 3B, 2B, LF, CF, and RF.
Barrel manipulation here is impressive: https://t.co/xfJY4BtKCp pic.twitter.com/xiXfMNSFtJ
...struck out in nearly 30% of his 193 PA with the Dodgers between '20-22... higher than his 15% rate in AAA...had 4 HR in 223 PA in AAA this season.
Interesting move...will compete for ABs with many of the younger Cubs guys. pic.twitter.com/OQlWSJHrjY
