The Chicago Cubs have made a trade with the Boston Red Sox. According to Red Sox beat reporter Chris Cotillo, Boston has finalized a deal with Chicago to acquire veteran first baseman Garrett Cooper.
Earlier this week the Cubs designated Cooper for assignment after he played in 12 games for the team. Cooper was a late signing by the Cubs, picking up the right-handed hitter in early March and inking him to a minor league deal. Cooper earned a spot on the Opening Day roster, but once Patrick Wisdom was activated from the injured list, the playing time for Cooper was destined to be cut short and he was ultimately let go in favor Matt Mervis.
The Cubs are getting some cash in return.
Cooper slashed .270/.341/.432, going 10-for-37 at the plate for the Cubs before he was DFA'd.
The Cubs haven't really missed a beat since Cooper was let go, winning four straight games this week. The winning streak was extended Friday night in Boston, where the Cubs got contributions from three of their young players. First baseman Michael Busch snapped out of his mini-slump and went 3-for-4, with an RBI and two runs scored, while Mervis added an RBI-single and Pete Crow-Armstrong drove in a pair of runs, adding two hits on the night against the Red Sox.
While Cooper did give the Cubs production early in April, starting his season 5-for-12, the veteran was given more playing time because of injuries and unfortunately couldn't take advantage of the opportunity. From April 15 to April 21, Cooper went 5-for-24, with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks. Overall with the Cubs, Cooper had a strikeout rate of 31.7%.
It was just a numbers game at the end that Cooper didn't stick around and because of some outfield injuries the Cubs could not justify keeping him around.
Cooper is now with the Red Sox, who was his other option when picking between teams back in March before agreeing to a deal with the Cubs.
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