08/03/26 06:48:00
Printable Page
08/03 18:46 CDT Cubs restock staff at deadline, acquire pitcher Clay Holmes and
outfielder Tyrone Taylor from Mets
Cubs restock staff at deadline, acquire pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder
Tyrone Taylor from Mets
By JAY COHEN
AP Baseball Writer
CHICAGO (AP) --- The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder
Tyrone Taylor from the last-place New York Mets on Monday for touted infield
prospect Jefferson Rojas.
It was the latest move by the busy Cubs to replenish an injury-depleted
pitching staff as they attempt to chase down first-place Milwaukee in the NL
Central or at least hang onto the National League's top wild-card spot.
Earlier in the day, Chicago obtained reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los
Angeles Angels for two minor leaguers: catcher Moiss Ballesteros and
right-hander Mason McGwire --- son of retired slugger Mark McGwire. The team
also added left-hander Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins for a pair of
minor leaguers: infielder Jonathon Long and right-hander Jace Beck.
Garrett was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Those deals came one day after the Cubs augmented their rotation by acquiring
veteran starter Kevin Gausman in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Holmes appears just about ready to return from a broken right leg that has
sidelined him since mid-May. He was 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA in nine starts before
getting hurt.
The 33-year-old right-hander has a $12 million player option for 2027 that he's
expected to decline in order to become a free agent again. He was an All-Star
reliever with the New York Yankees before signing with the Mets ahead of the
2025 season and successfully converting to a starting role.
Holmes fractured his right fibula May 15 when he was hit by a low line drive
while pitching against the Yankees. He made his third minor league rehab start
Sunday, allowing four runs in 5 1/3 innings for Class A Brooklyn.
Holmes went 16-12 with a 3.26 ERA in 40 starts and two relief appearances for
the Mets overall.
Taylor, 32, batted .241 with 10 homers, 28 RBIs and a .794 OPS in 67 games for
New York this season. The reserve outfielder, better known for excellent
defense, has been on a remarkable tear at the plate since returning June 26
from a strained right hip. He can become a free agent after the World Series as
well.
Chicago also acquired pitcher David Peterson from the Mets for minor league
infielder Cole Mathis in late June.
The 21-year-old Rojas was hitting .270 with 15 home runs, 57 RBIs, 17 stolen
bases and an .800 OPS in 91 games at Double-A Knoxville this season. He was the
second-ranked prospect in Chicago's system and No. 63 overall in baseball,
according to mlb.com.
___
AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick in New York contributed to this report.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
|
