Cubs trade for former top pitching prospect Eddie Butler

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The Cubs added some more pitching depth Wednesday, completing a trade with the Colorado Rockies for right-hander Eddie Butler.

The Rockies designated Butler for assignment last week to make room for newly-signed closer Greg Holland.

Butler will represent another option for the starting rotation if injuries or ineffectiveness strike the Cubs staff. He has an option remaining, meaning he does not have to be included on the 25-man big-league roster and can begin the season with Triple-A Iowa. 

The Cubs are hoping Butler will benefit from a change of scenery and a move into the organization's pitching infrastructure led by Chris Bosio and Mike Borzello that has helped guys like Jake Arrieta realize their massive potential.

Butler — who will turn 26 in spring training — was the Rockies' supplemental round pick in 2012 (46th overall) and was ranked the No. 24 prospect in the game by Baseball America prior to the 2014 season. On that same BA top prospect list, Javy Baez was ranked fifth, Kris Bryant eighth and Addison Russell (with the Oakland A's at the time) 14th in baseball.

Butler has made 36 appearances and 28 starts for the Rockies over the last three seasons, sporting a 6.50 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 159.1 innings. In the minors, he was 32-25 with a 3.33 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.

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The Cubs surrendered right-handed pitcher James Farris — the ninth-round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft — to Colorado in the deal along with swapping international bonus slot money (the Rockies now get the No. 28 international bonus slot and an additional $255K while the Cubs acquired the No. 74 overall slot).

Farris, 24, spent 2016 splitting time as a reliever between Advanced Class-A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Tennesee, posting a 2.59 ERA, 0.985 WHIP and 10.1 K/9.

The Cubs also designated right-handed pitcher Dylan Floro for assignment to make room for Butler on the 40-man roster. Floro was selected off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on Jan. 17.

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