Cubs Trade Gorzelanny to Nationals

With newly-acquired Matt Garza in the fold, it was clear that the Cubs were going to trade one of their established starters. So after Jim Hendry removed the blindfold and looked at the dartboard careful consideration, the Cubs decided to send Tom Gorzelanny packing Monday, shipping the lefty to the Nationals for three prospects, "none of whom is considered a top 10 prospect" (thanks for that buzzkill, MLB.com press release). I can think of several possible reasons for this trade:

1. Gorzelanny was arbitration eligible and was due for a big raise (from $800,000 last year to the $2 million range), and the Ricketts family couldn't find enough coins under the sofa cushions to afford him anymore;
2. He grew up as a White Sox fan in Evergreen Park and the Cubs found out he was bringing them down from the inside; or
3. The Cubs are only allowed to have one pitcher at a time with a "G" and a "Z" in his last name.

Gorzelanny's departure leaves the Cubs without an established left-handed starter, although with a career xFIP of 4.85, the only thing Gorzelanny has really established so far is that he's only a viable starter because of his left-handedness. It would have been nice if the Cubs could have at least picked up a high end minor leaguer in return, but apparently every time the Cubs trade a lefty starter, they are bound by law to receive only low-ceiling minor league players.

So in summary, this move does nothing to help the Cubs get in front of the Brewers, Reds, or Cardinals, but it shouldn't keep them from finishing in front of the Astros.

Fourth Place, here we come!