Cubs Trade for Ryan Freel

Big news! The Cubs and Orioles have made a trade that brings versatile Ryan Freel to the Cubs for OF Joey Gathright. Gathright had accepted an assignment to AAA Iowa earlier today. Randy Wells has also been called up from AAA. I'm not yet sure who will be send down to make room for both Freel and Wells on the roster. Ryan is expected to join the Cubs before the game tomorrow night. This is the 3rd trade the Cubs and O's have made this already this year.

Ryan Freel:

• Has played for Blue Jays (2001), Reds (2003-2008), Baltimore (2009), and now the Cubs.
• 33 years old
• B/T: Right
• .272 career batting average.
• Hitting .133 with 1 RBI so far in 2009.
• Career Games by position: CF- 216, RF- 107, 3B- 89, 2B- 101, LF- 75

I like giving Freel a chance because we need depth in the infield who can also play some OF, but I don't think Gathright was given a fair chance to prove what he can do.

Cubbie Birthdays: None Today!

This Date in Cubs History:

1973- After Cubs manager Whitey Lockman was ejected in the 11th inning, Ernie Banks took over for the final few innings of 3-2 12 inning win. Technically, Banks became the first black manager ever in a big league game.

Game 1 of the 3 at Miller Park between the Cubs and Brewers is about an hour away! Go Cubs Go!