Justin Germano Sent To Cubs For Cash

You knew it was inevitable that Justin Germano would be claimed by someone, especially after 5-2/3 impressive innings of relief in his lone appearance in the majors this year. That happened Thursday, with the Chicago Cubs getting Germano from the Red Sox, in exchange for the thing you often see players on minor-league deals dealt for: cash.

It just wasn't the right time for Germano in Boston, as seemingly every arm in the bullpen has been of use, and even the ones who have been luckier than most -- looking at you, Matt Albers -- will eventually be replaced by relievers who have more upside than Germano does. This is a solid move for the Cubs, though, since Germano could help them, and in the weaker league and division, to boot.

As for the Cubs, this might be step one to a Ryan Dempster trade, since Germano could easily slot into the rotation for them, even temporarily, if Dempster's next start were to come with a club other than Chicago.

There's also a part of Sox fans that should be happy that Germano didn't end up in another AL team's bullpen, where, just out of spite, he would become a stabilizing presence with a quality relief season like the one he put up for Cleveland in 2010, and somehow get in Boston's way in the season's final two months. Paranoid crisis averted.