Robert Coello Traded To The Cubs For Tony Thomas

by Ben Buchanan on Feb 15, 2011 5:41 PM EST in News

The Red Sox have traded right-handed pitcher Robert Coello to the Chicago Cubs for Tony Thomas. Sean McAdam broke the news first.

Coello, 26, was one of the Red Sox' recent pick ups from the independent leagues, signing with the team before the 2009 season. Coello put up big strikeout numbers in the minors last year en route to appearing in six games for the Red Sox. His time with the team, coming when the Sox were essentially out of contention, was memorable mostly for the game in which he walked in three straight runs. Overall, he pitched to a 4.76 ERA with five walks and strikeouts.

Tony Thomas is a 23-year-old second baseman who spent last year in Double-A Tennessee, putting up a line of .276/.338/.485 in his second full campaign at the level. Thomas has a decent bit of discipline, and can take a walk, but the highly touted contact skills that made him a third round pick in the 2007 draft have not translated well, as he has struck out at least 100 times in each of his three full campaigns.

Defensively, Thomas isn't too impressive, though he's not lacking for speed. He can steal a base or two if needed, and picked up 11 triples in 2010. He also has hit 11 homers in each of his last two seasons, which isn't bad for a middle infielder at that level.

Overall, it's hard to say if the Red Sox are winners or losers in this deal. I'm tempted to say losers, given that Coello is closer to the majors and has, if nothing else, shown the ability to strike a ton of guys out. But this was a deal necessitated by a bigger move bringing in Alfredo Aceves, so to get anything out of it is a plus for the Sox.

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Darn

Like I said in a previous thread, I like Coello – and I saw his atrocious debut against the Rays first-hand! Oh well. Best of luck to him with the Cubs. Here’s hoping Tony Thomas can, uh, play baseball or something.

by Tarrsk on Feb 15, 2011 6:34 PM EST reply actions

Ohh well

I would have liked to hold onto him but if we were going to lose him, might as well get something.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Feb 15, 2011 6:40 PM EST reply actions

sounds like we did ok, considering

by Mick Lowe on Feb 15, 2011 7:43 PM EST reply actions

Let's just say it's a three team trade and a win for us.

Red Sox get Aceves from the Yanks and Thomas from the Cubs,
Cubbies get Coello from Boston,
Yankees get nothing.

by OzTiger on Feb 15, 2011 8:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Cashman screwed up THAT trade.

Every Red Sox loss, I like to blame on the Yankees. Every Yankees win, I like to blame the Rays.

by outofleftfield on Feb 15, 2011 10:55 PM EST up reply actions

I like this way of looking at it

In a similar sense, we sent Manny Delcarmen to the Rockies in return for the Rays shipping us Wheeler Dan. Rays get nothing. Yankees also get nothing.

by Tarrsk on Feb 15, 2011 9:02 PM EST reply actions

oops

Obviously, this was meant as a reply to OzTiger.

by Tarrsk on Feb 15, 2011 9:02 PM EST up reply actions

Hard to say it's a loss for the Sox

since he was already designated for assignment. Pretty well reduces any leverage there. I’m kind of excited that we got a player that looks like he might have any kind of potential at all.

by wolf9309 on Feb 15, 2011 11:46 PM EST reply actions

tru dat

by Mick Lowe on Feb 16, 2011 11:35 AM EST up reply actions

Thomas

As a Cubs fan, when Tony Thomas was at shortseason Boise, he sure held a lot of intrigue for me. This was a speedy guy with some pop. The level of intrigue has steadily gone downhill since then, although he rebounded a bit last year. Still, for most Cubs fans, this was a guy who was, at best, a fringe top 30 guy in our system. There’s pop, there’s speed, but he whiffs way too much for his skillset, and his defense at 2nd just never improved. He may be best utilized as a utility player who dabbles in several positions, while also filling a pinch running role off the bench.

Overall, I think this is one of those no harm, no foul trades for both parties. Coello was DFA’d, and so getting something mildly intriguing, which Thomas is I guess, is worth it for you guys. I’m not sure Coello is anything more than an arm to fill in at AAA for the Cubs, but Thomas wasn’t a key necessity for the Cubs.

by toonsterwu on Feb 17, 2011 2:50 PM EST reply actions

cool thanks for the input

that’s about what I thought. Neither is likely to wow the world- though Coello is probably a bit more likely to have a career beyond a AAAA fill-in. Do you know if Thomas has played any other positions at all? Eventual utility guy is what I was thinking as well, but I didn’t really know anything about his defense.

by wolf9309 on Feb 17, 2011 3:17 PM EST up reply actions

He dabbled

a bit at other positions, but due to the system depth chart, he has largely played 2nd (MI depth has gotten better for the Cubs so he was going to be forced elsewhere in the next year or two, barring dramatic improvement).

by toonsterwu on Feb 17, 2011 5:50 PM EST up reply actions