The Cubs traded right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. to the Padres in exchange for left-hander Brad Wieck prior to the MLB trade deadline Wednesday afternoon.
The deal, which also involves international bonus pool money heading to San Diego, ends a tumultuous period for the former set-up man that included stints on the injured list and in the minor leagues prior to his departure.
Edwards, who turns 28 in early August, had emerged as one of the Cubs’ top relievers before his struggles this season. He recorded a 2.98 ERA in 73 appearances with the club in 2017, then followed it up a year ago by posting a 2.60 ERA in 58 appearances. Entering 2019, there was some hope that he could take on an even bigger role in the bullpen.
Instead, Edwards spent the offseason tweaking his delivery, only for umpires to deem it illegal early in the season. That set forward a series of developments that included multiple trips to Class AAA Iowa, including his most recent one after a demotion on July 22. In the spring, MLB started an investigation for racist messages sent to the pitcher on social media.
In 20 appearances with the Cubs this season, Edwards recorded a 5.87 ERA with nine walks in 15.1 innings. He’s been better at Class AAA, where he’s allowed a 3.07 ERA in 14.2 innings with Iowa.
Wieck, 27, has recorded a 6.57 ERA with 31 strikeouts and nine walks in 24.2 innings with the Padres this season. He’s also struggled at the Class AAA level in his career with a 5.65 ERA in 43 innings.
