The Chicago Cubs have claimed second baseman Daniel
Murphy from the Washington Nationals. Jon Heyman reports the Cubs will acquire him August 21, the same day Cubs’ division rival St. Louis Cardinals claim Matt Adams from the Nats.
On paper, this bunches up a crowded Cubs infield. This echoes what people said when the Milwaukee Brewers picked up Mike Moustakas and Jonathan Schoop before the trade deadline. But the trade makes sense for the Chicago Cubs as much as it does for the Washington Nationals.
The Nationals are trending down and Murphy will be a free agent after this season. The Nationals have a load of talented individuals on their team, but do not look like they will break into the postseason in 2018.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo held a news conference saying the timing was right to move Murphy.
"“[For Murphy] We got a very exciting Class A prospect and a player to be named later,” Rizzo told the media."
Jon Heyman tweeted that the Cubs’ prospect heading to Washington in the deal is INF Andruw Monasterio. He is a Venezuela born player who has a .695 OPS in Class A this season. He has shown good speed in the minor league.
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Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs sit atop their division despite an injury that has sidelined slugger Kris Bryant. Even though Bryant will be back soon, some are skeptical if he will fully regain his power stroke this season.
Murphy spent most of this season on the DL for the Washington Nationals. But, he is hitting over .300 since his return, and his bat deepens the Cubs’ lineup.
Javy Baez and Ben Zobrist can play all over the diamond so manager Joe Maddon will have some flexibility getting at-bats for everyone.
The Cubs already had the best record in the National League and this will strengthen their position in the NL Central.
The Washington Nationals also put Bryce Harper through waivers, but no teams claimed him so he will stay with the Nats for the rest of this season.