Cubs trade Tony Thomas to Boston for Robert Coello

[Transmogrified Tiger]

 

Coello is 26, 6-5 240 lbs.

 

Career 10/4 K/BB ratio, so it looks like he's in the wild flamethrower mold that we seem to like in our middle relievers.

[SouthSideRyan]

Well, I never liked Tony Thomas, but I also don't think we need a 10th interchangable back end of the bullpen guy.

[Old Style]

Damn, I was a tad too slow.

[Old Style]

Found this on a Sox site:

 

According to a major league source, the Red Sox expect to trade Robert Coello in the next couple of days. The right-hander was designated for assignment last week in order to make room on the 40-man roster for Alfredo Aceves, giving the Sox 10 days to trade him before subjecting him to waivers. The source suggested that there were “a few” teams interested in the right-hander.

 

Coello appeared in six games with the Red Sox in 2010, registering an ERA of 4.76. The 26-year-old also pitched for both Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket last season, posting a combined record of 7-6 with an ERA of 3.86.

[Guest]

Well, I never liked Tony Thomas, but I also don't think we need a 10th interchangable back end of the bullpen guy.

 

I do like that he actually has shown an ability to strike guys out, instead of us hoping that the stuff will translate into K's like we do for Samardzija, Gray, Caridad, etc.

[CubColtPacer]

Coello could be interesting. He's only pitched for 4 years so it's not surprising he still has some control issues (he was a catcher before that). He also looks to have all 3 options remaining. Here's a scouting report:

 

Scouting Report: Big righty with a powerful frame. Smooth, deceptive delivery. Heavy fastball sits between 91-93 mph and tops out at 94 mph. Also uses a nice low-80s forkball, a mediocre curveball, and an developing changeup. Attacks the zone and throws strikes. Gets a ton of strikeouts but can be hittable when he works too much down the middle of the zone. Projects as a middle reliever at the major league level, one that might be able to be utilized in high-leverage situations. Still learning how to pitch. Coello was well-regarded as a catcher when he was drafted by Cincinnati in 2004. However, he missed the 2005 season with a rib injury and the Reds released him in the spring of 2006. He converted to pitching after signing a one-year minor league deal with the Angels in September 2006. The right-hander dominated much younger competition in the rookie-level Arizona League in 2007, but the Angels opted not to re-sign him to a long-term deal. He impressed with Edmonton of the independent Golden Baseball League in 2008, and Boston acquired his rights from Edmonton in November 2008.

 

http://www.soxprospects.com/players/coello-robert.htm

[Northside Blues]

Why? Tony Thomas may never amount to anything, but without an obvious long term heir at 2B on the horizon, what's wrong with keeping him around. He had an OPS over 800 in Double A, maybe he was a year old or so for the league, but no reason to give him up for our some guy who will never make it out of our Triple A bullpen.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

A backup at best for a potential decent reliever. I do not have a problem with this.

[MWV]

Why? Tony Thomas may never amount to anything, but without an obvious long term heir at 2B on the horizon, what's wrong with keeping him around. He had an OPS over 800 in Double A, maybe he was a year old or so for the league, but no reason to give him up for our some guy who will never make it out of our Triple A bullpen.

Grooming him for a stopgap role seems like a lousy reason to avoid acquiring a bullpen arm. We have Blake DeWitt under team control through 2014, and while he isn't an outstanding option, he's better than Tony Thomas. LeMahieu or Lake may even be able to fill the position by then.

Edited February 15, 2011 by MWV

[Guest]

Why? Tony Thomas may never amount to anything, but without an obvious long term heir at 2B on the horizon, what's wrong with keeping him around. He had an OPS over 800 in Double A, maybe he was a year old or so for the league, but no reason to give him up for our some guy who will never make it out of our Triple A bullpen.

 

Thomas turns 25 this year and isn't much of a defender. His value is easily replaced by any one of Marquez Smith, Lemahieu, Flaherty, etc. Coello, IMO, moves near the top of the heap of middle relief options with his ability to get K's. I value that more than I do the middling skill sets that guys like Caridad, Gray, Samardzija, Coleman, Diamond, or Mateo have.

[questionmarkgrace]

Why? Tony Thomas may never amount to anything, but without an obvious long term heir at 2B on the horizon, what's wrong with keeping him around. He had an OPS over 800 in Double A, maybe he was a year old or so for the league, but no reason to give him up for our some guy who will never make it out of our Triple A bullpen.

 

Thomas turns 25 this year and isn't much of a defender. His value is easily replaced by any one of Marquez Smith, Lemahieu, Flaherty, etc. Coello, IMO, moves near the top of the heap of middle relief options with his ability to get K's. I value that more than I do the middling skill sets that guys like Caridad, Gray, Samardzija, Coleman, Diamond, or Mateo have.

 

Marqez Smith doesnt play second base, if he did end of discussion. I agree with northside blues of the three guys we have that can play second Baker, Dewitt, and Barney none are impressive. Thomas was a high ceiling pick originally but just hasnt put it together at the higher levels. still I would have more confidence in him seeing extended time at second base and hitting mlb pitching then Baker or Barney. Either way he doesnt see the light of day with the BoSox unless Pedroia is still hurt.

[questionmarkgrace]

Why? Tony Thomas may never amount to anything, but without an obvious long term heir at 2B on the horizon, what's wrong with keeping him around. He had an OPS over 800 in Double A, maybe he was a year old or so for the league, but no reason to give him up for our some guy who will never make it out of our Triple A bullpen.

 

Thomas turns 25 this year and isn't much of a defender. His value is easily replaced by any one of Marquez Smith, Lemahieu, Flaherty, etc. Coello, IMO, moves near the top of the heap of middle relief options with his ability to get K's. I value that more than I do the middling skill sets that guys like Caridad, Gray, Samardzija, Coleman, Diamond, or Mateo have.

 

Marqez Smith doesnt play second base, if he did end of discussion. I agree with northside blues of the three guys we have that can play second Baker, Dewitt, and Barney none are impressive. Thomas was a high ceiling pick originally but just hasnt put it together at the higher levels like he should have. still he has been solid, and I would have more confidence in him seeing extended time at second base and hitting mlb pitching then Baker or Barney. Either way he doesnt see the light of day with the BoSox unless Pedroia is still hurt.

[rawaction]

Marquez Smith has played some 2B. I don't know how he profiles there long-term, but he has played 35 games there in the minors.

[Guest]

Can't you include Watkins and Lake as potential fixtures at 2nd for the Cubs along with the other guys already mentioned? Seems to me the Cubs are best stocked at 2nd base in the minors, and I'm sure there's still hope that DeWitt can secure the position.

 

I like the move.

[Guest]

Can't you include Watkins and Lake as potential fixtures at 2nd for the Cubs along with the other guys already mentioned? Seems to me the Cubs are best stocked at 2nd base in the minors, and I'm sure there's still hope that DeWitt can secure the position.

 

I like the move.

 

Depends on how low you're going to go (and consider most of these guys could and should play other positions) but you have Barney in the bigs, Flaherty, LeMahieu, Cerda, Watkins, maybe Lake and even Wes Darvill.

[CubsWin]

With all the options the Cubs have a 2B, trading a guy who will be 25 and has no chance of making the big league squad for a strikeout capable reliever who could make the team makes sense.

[Guest]

This is the kind of move I like to see. I'm glad Hendry has learned that you don't need to spend $3M to fill out the back end of the bullpen.

[questionmarkgrace]

Marquez Smith has played some 2B. I don't know how he profiles there long-term, but he has played 35 games there in the minors.

 

I never knew he played second. I stand corrected. And actually his fielding has been better there than at third in a small sample size. Like I said though, if he can play secondbase he should be. Because I have to believe he can do just as well if not better than the three guys we have there.

[erik316wttn]

Boy, we sure do like pitchers that were once former catchers.

[Outshined_One]

Not bad. Coello could pan out as something interesting, plus he's shown the ability to strike guys out in AA and AAA. I'd like to see what he can do.

 

Thomas has been kind of eh in his career. I was hoping a stint in AAA could help his prospect status, considering he seemed like the kind of guy who could benefit from the PCL, but he hasn't lived up to his former hype. There's a chance he could pan out and be a solid 2B, but considering the depth in the system, he was expendable.

[erik316wttn]

Overall it's a low risk move. Maybe Coello can be a useful piece.