The Chicago Cubs are continuing their sell-off at the trade deadline by trading RHP Scott Effross to the New York Yankees for RHP Hayden Wesneski. Wesneski, a 6th-round draft pick in 2019, is ranked as the Yankees’ 7th-best prospect according to MLB.com. As of now, it appears to be a one-for-one trade.
Moving on from Effross
The Cubs trading Scott Effross is not something I was expecting. Effross, 28, is a rookie with five years of team control left. On the season, Effross has a 2.66 ERA, a 2.19 FIP, and 50 SO in 44 IP. His slider has been deadly. Opposing batters are hitting just .157 against it and slugging .196.
Effross was certainly a pitcher that seemed poised to stick in the Cubs’ bullpen as a cheaper, controllable arm for the next several seasons. As a David Ross favorite, Effross performed admirably consistently. The Yankees are getting some very good bullpen help as they gear up for the postseason.
In Comes Wesneski
Even though trading Effross is surprising, the Cubs are getting a very solid return. Wesneski, currently pitching in Triple-A, has great stuff. For fastballs, he throws a two-seamer with a lot of movement in the low-mid 90s and a four-seamer in the upper-90s. Additionally, Wesneski throws a great slider and changeup. I mean, check it out.
Wesneski is on the fast track to join the Cubs either this year or at the start of next year. Addtionally, he is Rule 5 Draft eligible following this season, so the Cubs will need to add him to the 40-man roster. Essentially, it seems like the Cubs are trading a bullpen guy who is contributing now for a prospective starter who is four years younger and seems to have all the pieces to be a major league starter. We’ll keep you updated with all the Cubs’ deadline moves. Stay tuned.
More must-reads: