Rockies trade Eddie Butler to Cubs

The Colorado Rockies have traded former top prospect Eddie Butler to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for relief pitcher, James Farris, the club announced today.

Butler, 25, went 2-5 with a 7.17 ERA in 2016 after being yo-yoed back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen, the first time he has been asked to pitch in relief. He was originally selected 46th overall in the 2012 draft and showed a ton of promise in the Rockies minor league system before struggling with production, health, and confidence in MLB.

A prevailing theory for a while has been that a change of scenery could do Butler some good and now he will get his chance to prove that with the defending World Series champions.

Farris, 24, spent parts of last season in High-A and Double-A for the Cubs posting a 2.75 ERA and earning him a spot in the Arizona Fall League where he was an All-Star.

The Rockies will also receive additional slot bonus money (approximately $255K) for the international draft with this move.