Morning Rundown: Cubs, Marlins make a trade, Free Agent fit for each team
Cubs add utility fielder Vidal Brujan from the Marlins
The Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins made a trade on Sunday. Vidal Brujan heads from the Marlins to the Cubs, while Matt Mervis heads in the other direction.
Brujan, 26, was a former top prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays. He played in 102 games for the Marlins in 2024, hitting .222/.303/.319 with a 73 wRC+, two home runs, and five stolen bases. He also hit 14 doubles and two triples.
His value came from his defensive versatility, as he played every defensive position except for catcher in 2024. He graded out the best at shortstop, with a +5 DRS, followed by right field (+4).
Mervis was a 39th-round pick back in 2016 by the Washington Nationals. He hit 22 home runs for Triple-A Iowa in 2023 and another 15 this past season. He played nine games with the Chicago Cubs in 2024, posting a -15 wRC+.
MLB.com did an updated article looking at one free agent ‘fit’ for each team at this point in the offseason.
For the Pirates (written by Alex Stumpf), it was right-handed pitcher Jose Leclerc, formerly of the Texas Rangers. He posted a 4.32 ERA (3.66 xFIP) with 89 strikeouts in 66.2 innings pitched in 2024.
The Pirates could use the bullpen help, although they currently only have one left-handed reliever on the 40-man roster.
It would give some competition to David Bednar, who had a disastrous 2024 season.
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BA has a piece on winners & losers in the 2020 draft. Lists Pgh as a winner. They did a redraft of round 1. Jones went 5th and Nick 24th. Mlod was listed with “others considered.”
Leclerc plus a few lefty options would be ideal. Unless something drastic happens, I’ve accepted that the best way we realistically are going to improve this club is by trying to solidify the pen