At the very last minute, the Cubs traded Ryan Dempster to the Rangers. Previously, Dempster looked like he was destined for the Braves, then he looked like he was destined for the Dodgers, but the Rangers ultimately pulled it off. In exchange for Dempster, the Rangers coughed up two prospects: Christian Villanueva and Kyle Hendricks.
Villanueva is a 21-year-old third baseman ranked as the No. 100 prospect in baseball before the season by Baseball America. In advanced-single-A he's batted .285 with a .777 OPS, and he's considered to be a fine defender with a history of playing short. His power is coming along although his plate discipline could use work.
Hendricks is a 22-year-old righty starting pitcher drafted in the eighth round in 2011. At the same level as Villanueva, he's posted an unfathomable 15 walks and 112 strikeouts over 20 starts. That right there should tell you that he's a control/command guy who might run into his ceiling before reaching the majors.
Villanueva is the more exciting prospect, and this isn't a bad get for the Cubs for a few months of a veteran starter. Note that the Rangers were trying on a couple fronts until pulling the trigger on this move:
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2012
#Rangers were talking Garza and Dempster to the end, trying to get one or the other. Got Dempster.