Cubs acquire Anthony Rizzo from Padres

[Trendy Bastard]

Cubs acquire 1B Rizzo from San Diego in 4-player deal - chicagotribune.com

The Cubs acquired top first base prospect Anthony Rizzo from San Diego Friday in a four-player deal that will send former first-round pick Andrew Cashner to the Padres.

Rizzo, a left-handed hitting slugger who was drafted by Boston under Theo Epstein’s regime and acquired by Jed Hoyer in San Diego last winter as part of the prospect package in the Adrian Gonzalez deal, is expected to be the full-time first baseman.

Rizzo, 22, hit .331 at Triple-A Tucson last year with 26 home runs and 101 RBIs, with a 423 on-base percentage and .652 slugging percentage. He was ranked the No. 3 prospect in the Padres system, and made his major league debut for San Diego in 2011, struggling with a .141 average in 128 at-bats in 49 games.

The Cubs sent outfielder Kyung-Min Na to the Padres, and received pitcher Zach Kates.

Cubs Scouting Director Jason McLeod was responsible for the Red Sox drafting Rizzo in the sixth round of the 2007 draft, and joined Hoyer in bringing Rizzo to the Padres organization. When San Diego acquired first baseman Yonder Alonso from Cincinnati last month in the Mat Latos deal, the Cubs made inquiries on Rizzo, who was made expendable.

Rizzo was diagnosed with Hodkin’s Lymphoma in 2008, but was declared cancer-free months later after undergoing chemotherapy.

Cashner, the 19^th pick of the 2008 draft and a potential starter in 2012, was sidelined for most of the 2011 season with a rotator cuff strain he suffered in his first major league start. He wound up pitching in seven games for the Cubs last year, with a 1.69 earned-run average in 10 2/3 innings. Cashner pitched in the Arizona Fall League after the season and his shoulder was reportedly sound.

Kind of sad to see Cashner go, but I can't say I didn't see this coming. As soon as the Padres acquired Alonso from the Reds, Rizzo popped into my head.

[love_that_reefer]

Looks like the Cubs will have a healthy competition at 1B with Bryan LaHair and Rizzo. I think after Rizzo got a taste of the big leagues last season, he will make the necessary adjustments.

[Trendy Bastard]

At this point, I think if Rizzo has a good ST, he'll get the job. Even though Hoyer is saying LeHair will start the season as the 1B.

[DMBZeppelin]

At this point, I think if Rizzo has a good ST, he'll get the job. Even though Hoyer is saying LeHair will start the season as the 1B.

Just not seeing that happening. I think Rizzo will end the season as our 1st basemen, but they will want LaHair to play for two reasons. It will help off-set whatever service time he gained last year, and I'm sure they want to see if they can build some trade value for LaHair.

Hopefully they can work out some of the holes in Rizzo's swing. As long as Castro isn't going to jail Rizzo, Castro, and Baez gives the Cubs a bright infield future.

[Porter]

LaHair is good as a stop gap. That's it. He got more value when the Mariners moved him to the OF in AAA.

[Trendy Bastard]

Yeah, Lehair will never be worth much.

Plus, I think it would be silly to leave Rizzo in AAA if he comes out and plays great in ST.