Detroit Tigers Send Minor League Pitcher Marcelo Carreno To Chicago Cubs

August 26, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Jeff Baker (18) makes a catch on a foul ball hit by Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar (not pictured) during the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

In return for the services (or lack thereof) of Jeff Baker, the Tigers have announced that they’re sending minor league pitcher Marcelo Carreno (and cash) to the Chicago Cubs.

The right-handed Carreno, 21, spent the last two seasons in West Michigan, but took a big step forward with his performance this past season. He finished the year in low-A with a 3.23 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, a 7.7 K/9 rate, and a miniscule 1.8 BB/9 rate. He wasn’t going to be considered a top prospect, but I think he was a guy that could have climbed the ladder to reach the major leagues in Detroit.

I had the opportunity to see Carreno pitch a couple of times this year, and came away impressed both times. His fastball wasn’t blazing fast – typically 91 or 92 on the stadium gun – but he seemed to keep hitters off balance while effectively mixing in his off-speed stuff (I think it’s a curveball and a changeup that he also throws, though I’m not a scout).

I’m a little bit surprised to learn that the Tigers would let Carreno go as the “player to be named”. After learning that the Tigers had acquired Baker in exchange for two players to be named later I had assumed the players would be of the pure scrapheap variety, but that’s not the case at all with Carreno. It’s not that the Tigers are losing a huge piece here; it’s just that Carreno probably has the ability to become a serviceable major league player down the road.

It would appear that the two sides agreed on a cash swap in lieu of a second player.