Chicago Cubs acquire Felix Doubront

The Chicago Cubs have acquired Felix Doubront from the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later.

FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi first reported that the two sides were close to completing a deal involving Doubront. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman confirmed a few minutes later that it was complete. ESPN’s Jim Bowden relayed that Boston will receive a PTBNL in return.

Doubront had seemed like a likely candidate to be shipped out of Boston, particularly after asking the team last week to either start him or trade him as he was unhappy with the role he was filling in the bullpen. Doubront, a 26 year old left-hander, has had a remarkably disappointing season in 2014. He made 10 starts with the Red Sox, posting a 5.19 ERA and 1.530 WHIP in 50.1 IP before being pushed to the bullpen. There his results have been even worse, an 11.00 ERA and 2.000 WHIP.

Doubront didn’t do himself any favors in his latest outing on Monday: allowing six runs on six hits to the Toronto Blue Jays, while managing to get just two outs.

It remains to be seen what role the Cubs envision using him in, though current Cubs President Theo Epstein was Boston’s General Manager when Doubront was signed as an amateur free agent in 2005. There is some history there and with the Cubs’ starting rotation in flux for the remainder of the season it wouldn’t be a complete surprise to see Doubront given the chance to start once again as he fights for a role with the team in 2015 and beyond. Doubront won’t be arbitration eligible until after next season and will still be under team control through 2018.