(670 The Score) It took until the final minutes before the deadline passed Wednesday, but the Cubs finally made a notable move on the trade market.
Chicago acquired outfielder Nick Castellanos and cash consideration from Detroit. In return, the Cubs sent two minor league pitching prospects to the Tigers: right-hander Paul Richan and right-hander Alex Lange.
Castellanos, 27, is hitting .273 with 11 homers, 37 RBIs and a .790 OPS in 100 games while playing about half his games at hitter-unfriendly Comerica Park. Castellanos is particularly good at hitting lefties, with a .347 batting average and 1.026 OPS in 82 plate appearances against them this season.
Castellanos is corner outfielder, so the thought process for the Cubs would be to shift Jason Heyward to center field more often to open up more playing time in right field. Castellanos could also platoon with Kyle Schwarber in left field.
Castellanos is making $9.95 million this season and is set to become a free agent this offseason.
Richan, 22, was a second-round pick of the Cubs in the 2018 amateur draft. He has a 3.97 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 17 starts at advanced Class-A Myrtle Beach this season. Richan was rated as the No. 16 prospect in the Cubs' system by MLB Pipeline.
Lange, 23, was a first-round pick of the Cubs in the 2017 amateur draft. He had a 3.92 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in seven starts at Double-A Tennessee. Lange was ranked as the No. 23 prospect the organization.
To make room for Castellanos on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated right-hander Oscar De La Cruz for assignment.
