Obviously this trade became much bigger as the evening went on. See below for updates.
In tonight’s game, Reed Johnson was pulled in the 5th inning (of a blowout), and was spotted shaking hands with his teammates in such a way as to suggest that he’d been traded.
We don’t know much of anything quite yet – nothing is confirmed – but I’ll updating as the details come out.
Johnson has value as a bench bat to just about any playoff contender, but he has even more value to the Cubs as an included piece in a bigger deal. We’ll see if this is a one-off type move, or if Johnson is part of a bigger deal.
If Reed has indeed been dealt, his presence will be missed. He’s a great teammate, and a 100% effort guy. But dealing him is the right move.
UPDATE: Bruce Levine reports that this is, indeed, probably a trade, and up to four teams submitted offers today. Pittsburgh and Detroit were among the suitors. That report, by the way, suggests this is a one-off deal, rather than a larger trade.
UPDATE 2 (at 9:10pm CT): Dave Kaplan says Johnson is meeting with Cubs’ management right now, which confirms there’s a trade.
UPDATE 3 (at 9:12pm CT): Reed was prophetic in his blog just three days ago, writing, “If I get a call from Theo or Jed, I’d be like oh, darn, there’s four, five days before the Trade Deadline, this is probably not about what gardener do you use in the Chicago area. If you get a phone call from them, you want to pick it up, especially at this time of year.”
UPDATE 4 (at 9:17pm CT): I’m not saying there’s any relationship here, but Brett Jackson was just pulled mid-game from the Iowa Cubs game. Injury? Call-up? Trade? Nothing? I honestly have no idea.
UPDATE 5 (at 9:18pm CT): Bob Nightengale notes – without confirming a trade – that Tigers’ pitching prospect Thomas Collier was just pulled from his start after three innings. Collier, 22, is still in Low A, but putting up solid numbers, and was a 2011 22nd rounder (so, the low level isn’t just a matter of him being a non-prospect). Don’t go nuts just yet. This is only one guy’s theory based on a pitcher being pulled.
UPDATE 6 (at 9:38pm CT): Just so it’s here, too, the Geovany Soto trade and this one are separate deals, apparently.
UPDATE 7 (at 9:43pm CT): The Twitter is playing a hilarious game where various sources say where he HASN’T been traded. So far, it appears that he isn’t going to Pittsburgh, Detroit, or Los Angeles (Dodgers).
UPDATE 8 (at 9:54pm CT): Multiple reports now say this is a combo deal with Johnson and *PAUL MAHOLM* going to the Braves. The implications of such a trade are huge, and will take some time to susse out.
UPDATE 9 (at 10:04pm CT): Jerry Crasnick says the Cubs are getting two minor league pitchers, but they aren’t in the Teheran-Gilmartin-Delgado-Minor group. The Braves still have many great prospects beyond that, so don’t get worried yet. Maholm had real value.
UPDATE 10 (at 10:30pm CT): Jerry Crasnick says one pitcher in the deal is Jaye Chapman, a 25-year-old reliever with huge K numbers at AAA, but decently-high walk numbers as well.
UPDATE 11 (at 10:37pm CT): YES. Ken Rosenthal says the other pitcher in the deal is prospect Arodys Vizcaino, who is currently out after undergoing Tommy John surgery earlier this year. Obviously that part isn’t good, but that’s how the Cubs could get him in a deal like this – before the surgery, he was a big-time prospect. He’s just 21, and before the year, was a top 50 prospect in all of baseball. EEeeeeeeh!
UPDATE 12 (at 10:34pm CT): OK, I’m leaving the updates on this post where they are, while I move on to the crazy Matt Garza rumors that are flying. I’ll have more on Vizcaino and Chapman later today/tomorrow.
Taking BIG CHANCES with Vizcaino but it DEF could pay off HUGE!!!
I really do not like any of these trades. Why not jst keep Maholm he is only 30 and he is a Lefty
once again trust theo and jed don’t overvalue our current roster.theo will get some heat for the atlanta deal but it could pay off big.
Personally, I really don’t mind the deal. But I am wondering if Theo chose to do this trade to the Braves in order to somewhat fix the business relationship that was hurt by the D dilemma.
Vizcaino would be a starter for the Cubs right? I know he was in the bp last year
he’s injured right now so no. unless you mean in the future? I’m sure the plan is to start him once he recovers next year
Luke, what are your thoughts on Viscaino? I believe this is a great trade for the Cubs pending injury issues.
i like the gamble. think big
N Side Irish is right – upside. If you would have said at beginning of year Maholm and Reed would get a guy, who granted had TJ surgery but was top 40 before this season, I guess putting it into perspective makes it seem like a good trade. I know Maholm was pleasantly good this year and a cheap (relatively) option for 2013 but really? I like Maholm but he’s no huge part of the future anyway. I’ll call it a win, 55% to 45% for Theo & Jed.
Although if Vizcaino comes back healthy and stays durable, that percentage goes way up.
Vizcaino? starter or reliever? assuming he comes back well from tommy john..
Soriano told the Cubs he wouldnt go to San Francisco. I don’t get that.
I’m beginning to wonder if Sori’s “OK Trade” list starts and ends with the Yankees.
@Cyranojoe: Theo is banging his head into his desk right now…
He’s coming back from the resulting concussion pretty well so far this trade deadline…
@Cyranojoe: Hahaha! Nice!!! (= But check to see if Theo can walk a straight line!
Maybe he’s afraid he’ll leave his heart there.
Ba dum dum ching.
I don’t either. So, if this is the only place this year you would be traded to for a chance at the playoffs, you don’t go? Hmmm…
Vizcaino more upside than Delgado…
Crazy to be at the game tonight, the starters just kept getting pulled.
What level is Vizcaino?
MLB ready but is out due to TJS
@dudeski: How far along is he to recovery?
had it in march, so might miss a month or two of next year
should be back in time for the beginning of next season.
If by level you mean minor league level: He was a bit rushed and only pitched a handful of games in AAA, but the guy has dominated the minors (1.12 WHIP 9.3 K/9 2.3 BB/9).
This is a big win for the Cubs.
Solid trade for Maholm.
Of the Cubs linked to trade, I actually wanted Maholm long term… Sigh… I’m still good, have that faith in LA-Demp deal being called soon…
Brett.. you can’t leave us with an update like you did about Garza and not post!! come on buddy!! hahaha
I think I broke my F5 key hitting refresh so much…
What rumors flying about garza?!?!?!?
Lots of rumors about Reds and Blue Jays being interested
and now Rangers…
http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/8216642/texas-rangers-toronto-blue-jays-showing-interest-matt-garza-spite-injury?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Love the idea of a bidding war between those two farm systems. Hate the idea of dealing with Daniels and AA. They’re good…
MAHOLM THANXFOR EVERTING UWERE A BEAST AND G LUK WITH BRAVES
Think ATL has moved on From Demp? That’s funny that both FO slammed the deal in his face and said fine take your ball and go home…EH???
While we’re talking about TJS, could Rubby De la Rosa be in play from LA? I doubt it; just a thought
Good deal LONG LIVE THE BLOGATHON
Hey Michigan Goat! Welcome back! Again! (=
Doug Padilla now saying Brett Jackson may not be called up tomorrow? Didn’t say anything else though.
I cant believe that Theo/Jed turned Maholm and Reed into a prior top 50 (albeit risky) prospect. Im in shock and awe. Think about that for a minute that we turned two very “meh” FA signings from last winter into a very quantifiable prospect. Insane
[...] Paul Maholm traded to Braves. BOOM. Reed Johnson traded to Braves. BOOM. Geovany Soto traded to [...]
I feel like we still will make 3 or 4 more deals. Say goodbye to Dempster and Baker at the very least. Soriano and Garza will likely be gone too.
Do we have a candelstick maker too?
Soriano rejecting trade to SF was a false rumor.
How do you know?
OK. Vizcaino vs. Delgado.
Clearly the Maholm Johnson/Vizcaino Chapman trade doesn’t happen if a certain trade involving a red headed Canadian had gone down a week ago.
So… How does the acqisition of Vizcaino compare to Delgado? At first blush, it seems like this might have been a better acquisition than the Delgado-Dempster swap.
Thoughts?
Even if they are the same quality prospect, getting one of those guys and retaining Dempster for another deal makes it the better deal.
Bruce Miles @BruceMiles2112
#Cubs discouraging talk of Brett Jackson coming up. But it looks like Casey Coleman on his way back to pitch
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3m Doug Padilla @ESPNChiCubs
Now it’s sounding as if Brett Jackson might not be coming up. We will know more tomorrow.
Dempster deal almost complete and Marmol now getting interest from two teams…
Please say the dodgers aren’t getting demp for a bag of boiled peanuts and a used condom. I just feel like thats the kind of leverage we have with the dodgers.
Vizcaino could be a huge payoff guys are coming back even stronger after TJ surgery love this deal
First, Happy Birthday to The Wife. Brett, thanks for doing this. It has been a BLAST keeping up on all the speculation and rumors. You’ll have some brews waiting for you in January at The Hilton.
Nice! Thanks.