Aaron Heilman spends only about six weeks with the Mariners as they trade him to the Cubs for a shortstop and a pitcher.
In exchange for Heilman, the Mariners received shortstop Ronny Cedeno and left-hander Garrett Olson. Heilman, long coveted by Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, will compete for the Cubs’ fifth-starter job or pitch out of their bullpen.
Cedeno will challenge both second baseman Jose Lopez and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt for starting jobs, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik told FOXSports.com.
So Zduriencik puts pressure on his middle infielders. Given Cedeno’s poor career offensive numbers, however, there might not be that much pressure. Garrett Olson has horrible major league walk numbers, but good ones in the minors. The people who commented to this post on Olson’s trade to the Cubs don’t think much of him as a major league pitcher.
I don’t understand what Hendry is doing here. Cedeno and Olson have both been long rumored to be included in any Peavy deal. So do we assume it was just that….rumors?
Heilman could be a good bullpen pitcher if he goes back to pre-08 form. But he is no more than a fastball/change up guy. 99% of his pitches in 07 were FB/CH. He went to 12% last year on his Slider and he gets lit up. (Fangraphs)
If Hendry is going to start Heilman…Bad.
Bullpen…Possibly good.
Peavy….looking less and less likely (as I’ve thought all along!)
There still HAS to be more Hendry moves. There is no one to back up 3B if/when Ramirez gets hurt. The bench is terrible.
Overall I think Hendry has had a bad offseason.
There were rumors Cedeno had no place on the Cubs, and would likely be released (because he is out of options). Olson didn’t exactly light it up in the majors.
Heilman may just be more attractive to the Padres in a Peavy trade (who knows).
I think Heilman will be better in 09 than in 08 – as long as he’s not being pressured to be anything more than a #4 in the rotation.
I think this was a steal for the Cubs.