Mark DeRosa was sent packing today as the Cubs traded him to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for three pitching prospects. Acquired by the Cubs were Jeff Stevens, who was added to the 40-man roster, lefty John Gaub, and right-hander Chris Archer.

This transaction could very well rekindle talks with the San Diego Padres for Jake Peavy.
On top of this trade, the Cubs and the Rockies have agreed in principle to a trade that would send Jason Marquis to the Rockies for Luis Vizcaino, which in turn opens a spot in the rotation.

Jim Hendry did release a statement saying "the trade gave the Cubs a chance to stock the farm system while also changing the look, the balance and shape of the Cubs roster, thus giving rising talent an opportunity to contribute at the major league level."

DeRosa was in the final year of his three-year contract and seemed to be the most expendable and had been dangled by the Cubs all winter.

DeRosa was a fan favorite and will be missed by the Cubs fans but if this trade means Jake Peavy or another available starting pitcher can be brought into the mix, all I can say is go for it.

The stats for the prospects are Stevens who is 25 years of age who went 5-4 with a 3.24 ERA in 2008 with AA Akron and AAA Buffalo with a .184 batting average against. He put up an average of 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings and also a 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He will definitely get a chance to compete for middle relief spot on the Cubs roster this coming spring unless he is dealt elsewhere.

Gaub and Archer are not close to being major league ready. Gaub who is 23, went 1-1 with 3.38 ERA in class A in his first full season. Archer at 20 years of age went 4-8 with a 4.29 ERA also in class A.

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