Well, this came out of the proverbial left field. From the press release:
The Chicago Cubs today selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Esmailin Caridad from Triple-A Iowa. To make room for Caridad on the roster, the Cubs optioned right-handed pitcher Jeff Stevens to Triple-A.
Caridad, who will wear uniform number 33, joins the first major league roster of his career and is available for tonight’s game in Colorado.
The 25-year-old Caridad is 5-10 with a 4.15 ERA (58 ER/125.2 IP) in 23 starts with Iowa this season, including a 1-1 record with a 2.74 ERA (7 ER/23.0 IP) in his last four starts. He was a non-roster invitee to Cubs spring training in 2009, posting no record and a 0.00 ERA (6.0 IP) in six Cactus League relief appearances.
0 recs | 59 comments
Huh
Did not see this happening…
Allie - August 10, 2009
Took the Words...
right out of my mouth.
08Cubs - August 10, 2009
Prelude to a trade?
I’m very confused.
elgato - August 10, 2009
If he specifically was part of a trade
why bring him up? Very strange
chitownhawkeye - August 10, 2009
LIND?
jesus christos - August 10, 2009
Who?
CubbieintheSouth - August 10, 2009
Dr. Crawdad is on the roster?
santoswoodenlegs - August 10, 2009
According to Google Translate
… “Caridad” means “Charity” in Spanish.
Al Yellon - August 10, 2009
Are you trying to bring race into this again?
santoswoodenlegs - August 10, 2009
No, just charity.
Al Yellon - August 10, 2009
Yeah, and Esmailín is Spanish for "For the Love of."
chilango2 - August 10, 2009
mitch atkins, is that you?
jesus christos - August 10, 2009
Uhhhhhhhhhh...
…wat?
dtpollitt - August 10, 2009
yep.
santoswoodenlegs - August 10, 2009
blowout insurance?
They had used Stevens last night and Shark starting Wed they needed another arm in the pen, not all that hard to believe.
jeff_pico - August 10, 2009
just got back from the game tonight...
this comment is prescient!
TyCubsfan - August 10, 2009
its great when things work out like that huh
jesus christos - August 11, 2009
This is strange
I figured maybe Mathes or Gaub might be added but not Caridad. Not surprised about Stevens. They clearly want a fresh arm.
Doggie Stalker - August 10, 2009
Gaub pitched yesterday.
Therefore, not a fresh arm.
Al Yellon - August 10, 2009
I kind of hope they don't call him up
His stats are unreal even in just under 20 innings at AAA. Might as well let him stay there and maybe some fall or winter ball to see if he is the read deal. He is not on the 40 man roster anyway.
Doggie Stalker - August 10, 2009
Neither was Caridad.
Al Yellon - August 10, 2009
Yes but he seems like the kind of guy they can take a flyer on
and then remove if it does not work out. Gaub would seem to be of more long term value and they don’t want to start the clock ticking any earlier than they have to.
Doggie Stalker - August 10, 2009
Probably true.
Al Yellon - August 10, 2009
I think Gaub
will be added this winter. I hear he becomes Rule 5 eligible this winter.
tim815 - August 10, 2009
Well, I wanted him on the 40 man.
Not the major league roster. I’d rather have Mathes too. Anyway, you all know what this means!!!
wrigleyrocker12 - August 10, 2009
Mathes also pitched yesterday.
Al Yellon - August 10, 2009
That looks familiar.
santoswoodenlegs - August 10, 2009
No it doesn't.
This guy is (1) Throwing a baseball and (2) Playing in a real game, not a “simulation”.
dtpollitt - August 10, 2009
Damn.
sue369 - August 10, 2009
i think it was a "need more arms in the pen" move
lexmarklover - August 10, 2009
I don't understand
why they would not have tried BJ Ryan when they are bringing up guys like this, he had a good spring so maybe he will produce well but I just don’t get it
oeosoto - August 10, 2009
ryan was released
jesus christos - August 10, 2009
Actually
Ryan asked for his release.
DTJchris - August 10, 2009
I know
I am saying why didn’t they give him a shot if they are giving guys like Berg, Atkins chances why didn’t they just try Ryan
oeosoto - August 10, 2009
He's got a point.
Al Yellon - August 10, 2009
if he asked for his release, how could you try to pitch him?
lexmarklover - August 10, 2009
thanks Al
and the only reason Ryan asked for a release was because he didn’t get the big league call
oeosoto - August 10, 2009
i thought he asked for his release because he knew that his control and velocity were not going to get better
lexmarklover - August 10, 2009
No, it was because he wasn't pleased with his progress
not because he wasn’t on a major league squad. If a pitcher asked for his release on this basis, it means he knows his ability to pitch to major leaguers was not there.
DTJchris - August 10, 2009
or because his fastball couldnt hit 90
jesus christos - August 10, 2009
Are you talking about me?
Fukudometer - August 10, 2009
u mad
jesus christos - August 10, 2009
I was under the impression
that Ryan asked for his release because he felt he stunk and he was being honest with the Cubs.
Or more exactly, he knew his velocity had not returned.
Josh Timmers - August 10, 2009
How bizarre
here’s hoping it works out well.
Curtain Jerker - August 10, 2009
Also heard today cubs interested in Smoltz
as are a bunch of other NL teams. I know a lot of ppl may be against it but why not try him in NL as rotation insurance and use him in pen
oeosoto - August 10, 2009
Um, because he had an 8.32 ERA in the American League?
Al Yellon - August 10, 2009
but would you rather Smoltz or these other minor leaguers
i think you could make an argument for both and not sure which way i would go as of now
oeosoto - August 10, 2009
I'll take the minor leaguers.
Al Yellon - August 10, 2009
you don't think Smoltz has anything left
oeosoto - August 10, 2009
No.
Al Yellon - August 10, 2009
i believe thats what hes implying, yes
jesus christos - August 10, 2009
Im not implying Smoltz has anything left because I don't know
I just would maybe try him out and see if he can pitch. he pitched well for the first couple innings of games I think I would bring him in as reliever
oeosoto - August 10, 2009
I'll take Caridad
over Smoltz.
We think Caridad might be terrible. We know that Smoltz will be terrible.
Josh Timmers - August 10, 2009
which would translate into a 2.50 era in the nl ...... jk jk
lexmarklover - August 10, 2009
Reserve Grant Park and map out the parade route
Esmailin’s gonna lead ’em to the promised land. Or out of egypt. or something.
Gibbon Jockey - August 10, 2009
yahoo!
jesus christos - August 10, 2009
Is he going to part the Chicago river?
Cause that’s probably pretty gross down there on the bottom.
DTJchris - August 10, 2009
I had to see it to believe it
Doesn’t mean that I get it, though.
chilango2 - August 10, 2009
Esmailin Caridad
is a product of the Hiroshima Carp Dominican Academy. After a cup of coffee in Japan, he got his release and was signed by the Cubs last year. His stuff is decent—low 90s fastball, good curve, average changeup. The biggest scouting report on him is that he “pitches Japanese” which is code for being a nibbler rather than going after hitters. He also has a tendency to give up gopher balls.
Josh Timmers - August 10, 2009
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