Chicago Cubs claim right handed pitcher Daniel Bard off waivers from Boston
By David Miniel
The Chicago Cubs have claimed right handed starting pitcher Daniel Bard off waivers from the Boston Red Sox.
Bard was designated by the Red Sox on Sunday, will be reunited with his former boss Theo Epstein. It was pretty much a no-brainer the Cubs would place a claim on Bard since Epstein drafted the guy.
The 28 year old carries a heavy 6.27 ERA over 60 1/3 innings the past two season. During the 2009-2011 season he had a 2.88 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 197 innings through that time frame. Bard is eligible for arbitration this season and will probably be guaranteed around three times the major league minimum.
It was rumored that the Minnesota Twins were in talks with the Boston Red Sox about acquiring Bard. Minnesota has Daniel’s brother Luke in their farm system. They drafted Bard #42 overall in the 2012 draft, three years after the Red Sox claimed Daniel in the 16th round.
It will be interesting to see if Epstein decides to non-tender the right handed pitcher over the winter if this experience doesn’t seem to work out with the Cubs.
With the Cubs claiming Bard off waivers, they have designated outfielder Cole Gillespie for assignment. He was claimed off waivers in July from the San Francisco Giants. Gillespie held a batting line of .240/.328/.280 over 59 plate appearances.
The 29 year old could pass through waivers and be out righted to Triple-A Iowa which would end his season.