Lerud to Braves, Wells to Cubs

2014 Chachi Transactions #5

If you're a fan of either Steven Lerud or Casper Wells, you may want to see if there's any door buster/Black Friday deals at your local sporting goods store on Braves and Cubs gear today.  Last week, word arrived that Lerud had signed a minor league contract with Atlanta, while Wells will try to catch on with the Cubs.  Both saw limited action with the Phillies in 2013.

Lerud made his Phillies debut on August 30, 2012, and ended up appearing in just nine games overall with the team.  He hit .133 (2 for 15) and earned two starts behind the plate.  Lerud appeared on several minor league cards with the Phillies in 2012 and 2013.  He "rookie cards" appeared this year in the Topps Heritage and Topps flagship sets.

2014 Chachi Transactions #6

Wells will forever be remembered as the guy will pitched the 18th inning in the eventual 12-7 loss to the Diamondbacks back on August 24th.  Prior to taking the mound due to a completely depleted bullpen, Wells went 0 for 7 at the plate with four strikeouts as the team's right fielder.  Overall, Wells hit just .042 (1 for 24) with the Phillies in 12 games.

His signing with the Cubs means that he's joined his sixth organization in 2013.  Having started with the Mariners in spring training, Wells bounced to the Blue Jays to the A's to the White Sox to the Phillies.  He has a Topps Mariners card in the team's retail set, and he appears in the Topps Update set as a member of the White Sox.  He also appeared as a Mariner in the 2013 Topps Heritage set.

Moving On

Steven Lerud (10/1/13) - Elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Atlanta Braves, 11/23/13)

Raul Valdes (10/2/13) - Claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros.

Tyler Cloyd (10/2/13) - Claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians.

Michael Martinez (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

Zach Miner (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

Pete Orr (10/7/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

Roger Bernadina (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

J.C. Ramirez (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Cleveland Indians, 11/1/13)

Casper Wells (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.  (Signed as a minor league free agent with the Chicago Cubs, 11/23/13)

John Lannan (10/17/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency.

Roy Halladay (10/31/13) - Elected free agency.

Mauricio Robles (11/5/13) - Outrighted off the 40-man roster and became a minor league free agent.

Coming Back

Cesar Jimenez (11/15/13) - Signed to a minor league contract and invited to spring training.

Carlos Ruiz (11/21/13) - Resigned by the Phillies to a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year.

New Additions

Marlon Byrd (11/12/13) - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Pittsburgh Pirates.