Today the Cubs claimed a player off waivers!
But, he’s a 26 year old former top prospect who’s struggled to do much
of anything outside of the operating room in the past few years. As
Rotoworld says:
He had been designated for assignment earlier this week.
Diamond, the former top pitching prospect, is now 26 and hasn’t been
able to excel above A-ball thanks to a collection of injuries,
including a Tommy John surgery that derailed his whole 2007 season.
The Rangers had been trying him mostly as a reliever this year, where
he has struggled to the tune of a 6.55 ERA in 11 innings. Regardless
of his issues, it’s a decent gamble for the Cubs as they have a dearth
of any real upside in the upper levels of their farm
system.
I do have to take issue with the parting setence, however. Although
the Cubs’ system lacks prospects at the higher levels, one area in
which they are not lacking is relief prospects. In fact, I would
put up the Cubs’ high level (AA and AAA) relief prospects against any
team in baseball.
Unfortunately, none of them hit particularly well.