Michael Bourn’s trade market has been slow this offseason. With Tony Campana designated for assignment today by the Chicago Cubs, it may be a little more delayed as well.
Campana was DFA’d to make room for Scott Hairston, whom the Cubs signed a few weeks ago. Campana was the odd man out of a remade outfield also including: Alfonso Soriano, David DeJesus and Nate Schierholtz. Chicago will now have 10 days to either trade the part-time speedster, or place him on waivers. While Campana is likely to draw appeal from numerous teams, it’s more likely it will be through a waiver claim than a trade for Theo Epstein and the Cubs’ front office.
With this transaction, the market for Bourn may have taken another hit. Bourn is easily the biggest speed threat of any outfielder available on the free agent market, but comes with the steep price tag of a first round draft pick, a sacrifice not many teams have been willing to make this offseason, except for the absolute elite talents.
The two players are not comparable since Bourn has played solid defense as a full-time player since 2008. Campana entered the Majors in 2011 and has yet to reach 100 games in a season. Still, with the ability to steal 30 bases in 89 games like he did in 2012, Campana offers the speed element and an outfielder’s glove at the league minimum and with no strings attached.
A team like the Mets, who do not have a single impressive outfielder, may prefer the bigger catch in Bourn, but a team just looking to add some speed and outfield depth no doubt will be interested in Campana.
The Cubs were said to make the move because they did not want to part ways with a pitcher from the 40 man roster. Pitchers and catchers report for spring training Feb 10.
