The Dodgers have been perhaps the only team to sustain interest in Cubs starter Ted Lilly from the beginning. Word spread this morning that they were making a strong push, and now it appears they've completed a deal that will bring in a starting pitcher, along with a new infielder:
Cubs have completed Lilly-Theriot deal with Dodgers. Plug pulled on 2010.
Ken Rosenthal brings some info on the return:
#Cubs would get DeWitt, Class AA pitcher and possibly third player for Lilly/Theriot package. Not sure of financial exchange.
The key to this deal, for the Dodgers, is obviously Ted Lilly, who was probably the best remaining starting pitcher on the market. The free agent to be has upped his stock since the All-Star break and has posted a 3.69 ERA with the Cubs, with a 3.1 K/BB in 18 starts. He'll fit in with Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Vicente Padilla, and Hiroki Kuroda to form a solid Dodger rotation, 1-through-5. The Cubs, it's guessed, will pay at least some portion of his remaining salary.
Ryan Theriot has two remaining years of team control, and has posted a disappointing .647 OPS on the year after having good success at the plate in 2008 and 2009. He is a middle infielder by trade, and a plus defender who makes a lot of contact.
Blake DeWitt has four remaining years of team control, and he's broken out this year with a .270/.352/.371 batting line. The soon-to-be 25 year old second baseman has had some struggles in the field, but he makes a lot of contact at the plate, is capable of drawing a walk, and isn't completely devoid of power.
The rest of the package is unclear, but we'll update you with more as this develops. Meanwhile, also be sure to check in on True Blue LA and Bleed Cubbie Blue. The Dodgers have made an impact addition to counter the Ryan Ludwick trade by San Diego, while the Cubs have called it quits for 2010. We'll have to see if the additions made by their two closest rivals spurs the Giants into action.
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