Blue Jays trade reliever David Phelps to the Chicago Cubs

According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, the Toronto Blue Jays are shipping reliever David Phelps to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for prospect Thomas Hatch.

The Cubs needed to shore up their bullpen for the home stretch with the recent injury to reliever Pedro Strop. David Phelps brings veteran experience and has a team option for 2020 after earning $2.5 million this season.

Phelps currently sports a respectable 3.63 earned run average and four holds in17 appearances with the Jays, the reliever didn’t make his season debut until June 17th after rehabbing back from Tommy John surgery.

The Blue Jays will receive back Thomas Hatch who is the Cubs 29th ranked prospect in their organization according to MLB.com. Hatch was selected in the third round of the 2016 amateur draft by the Cubs and is currently pitching in Double-A with Tennessee.

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The 24-year-old hurler has made 21 starts this season pitching to the tune of a 4-10 record with an inflated 4. 59 earned run average although he has fanned 93 in 100 innings of work this season.

Hatch has a tendency to struggle with control issues walking 3.3 batters per nine innings this season and surrendering 13 home runs. It would seem at this stage of his career that he may be better suited as a reliever.

Phelps was sort of the forgotten man in trade rumours with the likes of Ken Giles, Daniel Hudson and Joe Biagini of late garnering all the attention. It is somewhat surprising the Jays did not keep Phelps in the fold for next season to add a veteran presence in the bullpen for an affordable price.

It appears the Blue Jays front office are going to trade anything that isn’t bolted down in the coming days with Phelps being the third trade of the week. Along with the relievers look for Justin Smoak and possibly Freddy Galvis to get their walking papers out of town before the 4 pm deadline tomorrow.