Cubs Trade Minor Leaguer Darin Downs to Tampa for PTBNL

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The Chicago Cubs traded left-handed reliever Darin Downs to the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named.

 

The 23-year-old Downs, who was a fifth round draft pick in 2003, was 0-2 with a 6.56 earned-run average in 22 appearances with the Smokies.

 

Downs was assigned by the Rays to Class A Vero Beach, Fla.

 

Guess the growth plates never kicked in. :(

[gerby23]

Could this be one of those "opener" deals where we trade small then big?

[inari]

This definitely puts each time over the top in their respective league.

[tfarks]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[Little Slide Rooter]

Any chance that David Price will be the PTBLNL?

[rawaction]

I didn't know Downs was still in the system. And I doubt this is a precursor to any other deals. Rays need a RH OF and a LH reliever. Cubs don't have either to spare. Rays aren't going to be in the business of helping the Cubs, because they are leading the AL East.

[RynoRules]

Does this trade in any way open up some roster position of import? Otherwise why even make it?

[RedFlash]

The Cubs have had their share of busts, but for me two of my personal busts that I was disappointed to see happen where Justin Jones and Darin Downs. But atleast with Jones (along with others) netted the Cubs Nomar/Murton, who would in turn net us Rich Harden. As for Downs, maybe he can have a career similar to another X-Cub name Downs and be a useful middle reliever for Tampa in the future.

[Derwood]

I am a big fan of anyone named Darin :-"

[Guest]

The Cubs have had their share of busts, but for me two of my personal busts that I was disappointed to see happen where Justin Jones and Darin Downs. But atleast with Jones (along with others) netted the Cubs Nomar/Murton, who would in turn net us Rich Harden. As for Downs, maybe he can have a career similar to another X-Cub name Downs and be a useful middle reliever for Tampa in the future.

 

How can you even consider Darin a bust, there were little expectations for him and he always struggled?

 

Honestly, the only reason I posted this thread here instead of just mentioning it in today's minor league game thread was the growth plates reference.

[RedFlash]

The Cubs have had their share of busts, but for me two of my personal busts that I was disappointed to see happen where Justin Jones and Darin Downs. But atleast with Jones (along with others) netted the Cubs Nomar/Murton, who would in turn net us Rich Harden. As for Downs, maybe he can have a career similar to another X-Cub name Downs and be a useful middle reliever for Tampa in the future.

 

How can you even consider Darin a bust, there were little expectations for him and he always struggled?

 

Honestly, the only reason I posted this thread here instead of just mentioning it in today's minor league game thread was the growth plates reference.

 

Everybody has their favorite minor leaguer they root on to succeed. Darin Downs was one of mine. And while he wasn't a "glamourous bust" like many others, I was just disappointed he just couldn't get it going. So, yeah even tho he isn't the traditional bust like Dopirak/Harvey and Brownlie (among others), he was a bust for me personally, cause I really had hoped he would be a good pitcher.

[Guest]

Gotcha.

[badnews]

The Cubs have had their share of busts, but for me two of my personal busts that I was disappointed to see happen where Justin Jones and Darin Downs. But atleast with Jones (along with others) netted the Cubs Nomar/Murton, who would in turn net us Rich Harden. As for Downs, maybe he can have a career similar to another X-Cub name Downs and be a useful middle reliever for Tampa in the future.

 

How can you even consider Darin a bust, there were little expectations for him and he always struggled?

 

Honestly, the only reason I posted this thread here instead of just mentioning it in today's minor league game thread was the growth plates reference.

 

Didn't you read the scouting reports when Darin Downs was drafted? Man, they were GLOWING. One scout said he could start in AA out of high school and not miss a beat. He was one of those draft picks everybody loved, one of those high school arms with big upside in the 5th round, he was like the Jake McGee of his day! Uh, but it didn't work out. Maybe he was more like the Tommy Mendoza of his day, early success and a lot of nothing after that.