Henry Rodriguez Traded To Cubs

After his designation for assignment earlier this week, a resolution has come to the Henry Rodriguez saga. He has been traded to the Chicago Cubs, in exchange for minor-league pitcher Ian Dickson.

Apr 13, 2013; Washington, DC, USA;Washington Nationals relief pitcher Henry Rodriguez (63) throws during the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Rodriguez was DFA’d after posting a 4.00 ERA and 8.00 BB/9 in 18 innings this season. The righty was always tantalizing with his 100MPH fastball, but his control and consistency left much to be desired. The vast majority of Nats fans are quite happy to see him go.

A quick Google search informs me that Ian Dickson is a judge on Australian Idol, which leaves me quite confused. A bit more scrolling reveals that he is, in fact, a 22-year-old reliever who has a 6.88 ERA at High A right now and was a 35th round pick of the Cubs last year out of Lafayette College. He is a non-prospect, through and through, unless the Nationals see something in him the rest of baseball doesn’t. He is less of an asset and more of a token to remember our beloved Henry by.