I have to like the Astro end of this better, but it's a justifiable move.... it keeps Alcantara glued to the bench or in AAA if nothing else.

The Cubs are giving Daniel Bard another chance to revive a career that once looked so promising.

Cubs VP Jason McLeod confirmed Bard has signed a minor-league deal and will go to spring training trying to find what had made him an elite setup guy with the Boston Red Sox.

“There’s a lot of history there,” McLeod said Sunday. “We’ve been with him through a lot.”

As Cubs Convention closed down at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, it’s a reminder that all these prospects aren’t going to make it and enjoy an uninterrupted 10-year run in the big leagues.

McLeod had been Boston’s amateur scouting director when the Red Sox selected Bard in the first round of the 2006 out of the University of North Carolina. Bard eventually emerged as a weapon out of the Red Sox bullpen in 2010 (1.93 ERA) and 2011 (74 strikeouts in 73 innings) before everything unraveled.

It’s a long story, but Bard tried to transition to the rotation and had major problems with his command. He developed issues with his right shoulder and eventually needed surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. He hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since April 2013.

Cubs executives have been through this before. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer knew Bard well from their time together at Fenway Park and claimed him off waivers in September 2013, but he never actually pitched for the team in a game.

“He’s supposed to be ready to throw,” McLeod said. “With everything that’s happened – coming through the injuries and some of the control issues he had – we’ll see where he’s at.”


It’s a long shot, but the Cubs hope new Triple-A Iowa pitching coach Mike Cather – a former instructor in the Red Sox organization – might be able to help make a difference.

“He and Daniel have a really good relationship,” McLeod said. “Back in the early days in Boston, after Daniel’s draft year, he really struggled out of the gate. His first full year was a terrible year.

“We sent Daniel to Hawaii that fall with Mike Cather and that’s when we made him a reliever and it just clicked. Not saying that’s the reason or anything, but that’s another voice Dan feels really comfortable with.”

Utility infielder and a failed (so far) pitching prospect for a starting center fielder/ lead-off man?
Yep, the Astros really fleeced the Cubs on this one!!!

I have to like the Astro end of this better, but it's a justifiable move.... it keeps Alcantara glued to the bench or in AAA if nothing else.

Utility infielder and a failed (so far) pitching prospect for a starting center fielder/ lead-off man?
Yep, the Astros really fleeced the Cubs on this one!!!

While i like fleece as a comfortable winter garment, nobody said anything about a fleecing. You have to view this from an organizational standpoint. Cub gets 1 arb year of Fowler (who asked for $10.8MM). Astro gets a starting 3B or utility man for 2 years of control, and a pitching prospect who has a chance to be a middle rotation guy for at least 5-6 years of control. They also probably believe Springer can handle CF for the next few seasons. Now if Epstoyer is able to extend Fowler, or at minimum he can hold down the fort until Almora is ready, the pieces they gave up are fine. Houston has all the upside in this deal, which is why I said I like it on their end a little more.

Welcome to the fold, JORR!

Maybe Straily does figure it out. Maybe Baez hits .280 next season with 40 HR. It is a constant struggle to try to make every move into a huge win for your organization.

But to obtain proven talent, you have to give up proven talent or the prospect of future talent. And hope that the guy you get overachieves or the guy(s) you lose end up less than their projections.