First of all, let me state for the record: I do not engage in grade inflation.
I simply reward competence.
And thankfully for my credibility, this trade makes that very easy.
Chicago Cubs trade SP Eric King, SP Randy Tomlin, and RP Frank DiPino (plus 80% of their salaries) to the Orlando Devil Rays for a 1999 1st-round pick, SP Dave Fleming, SP Angel Miranda, and RP Antonio Osuna.
Blockbuster.
Let’s clap it up for the Orlando Devil Rays.
They identified their biggest flaw — pitching depth and bullpen competence — and attacked it head-on.
Orlando’s Side: No More Pretending
Behind John Smoltz and Randy Johnson (yes, that’s a foundation), the rest of the rotation has been a revolving door between the majors and AAA. The bullpen? Let’s call it “adventurous.”
So what do they do?
They add stability.
- Eric King: Slightly above average this year, rebounded from last season, not an ace anymore — but absolutely a credible mid-rotation arm. At $50,000 after Chicago eats salary? That’s value.
- Randy Tomlin: 5.63 ERA, 3.45 FIP, .325 BABIP. Translation: this guy is begging for defensive competence and regression luck. Classic change-of-scenery candidate.
- Frank DiPino: The jewel. A 237 ERA+ this year. A 277 ERA+ last year. He might be the best reliever moved all season. And Orlando is paying essentially backup catcher money for him.
All three cost them roughly $150,000 combined.
Yes, they’re likely rentals. But that’s the point. Orlando is staring at Florida, Cincinnati, Kansas City, and Milwaukee and saying, “Why not us?”
Aggressive. Focused. Clean.
And they didn’t surrender blue-chip, system-altering talent to do it.
That’s how you push chips in.
Chicago’s Side: Good… But Was It Enough?
Now for the Chicago Cubs.
The “For Sale” sign is no longer subtle. It’s neon.
They get a 1999 1st-round pick — which is real value. Where that pick lands? Who knows. If Orlando flames out in two years, that could look brilliant.
But let’s address the discomfort.
DiPino is better than Darren Holmes, who recently helped net a second-rounder in another deal.
Alex Fernandez fetched a first-plus package.
Chicago moved:
- A strong mid-rotation arm
- A regression candidate with upside
- One of the best relievers in baseball
- And ate 80% of the salary
For one first-rounder and three pitchers that range from “fine” to “we’ll see.”
Dave Fleming is making numbers work.
Angel Miranda walks at season’s end.
Antonio Osuna is cost-controlled but not exactly terrifying.
You can’t help but feel like a second premium asset — another pick, a stronger prospect — could have reasonably been included.
This is not a bad return. It just feels… one piece light.
Big Picture
Orlando is chasing October.
Chicago is embracing tomorrow.
Both are behaving rationally. One simply extracted more immediate impact.
Trade Grades
Orlando Devil Rays: A+
They addressed their biggest weakness without gutting the system. That’s championship behavior.
Chicago Cubs: B
A first-round pick is nice. But when you move this much pitching and eat this much salary, “nice” shouldn’t be the ceiling.
No inflation here. Just math.