Cubs trade Tony Campana to Diamondbacks
BY GORDON WITTENMYER gwittenmyer@suntimes.com February 18, 2013 2:13PM
Chicago Cub Tony Campana bunts to reach first and advance runners during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill., on Wednesday, October 3, 2012. | Andrew A. Nelles~Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 18, 2013 2:59PM
MESA, Ariz. – Circle May 31 on the calendar. That’s the day Cubs fans have their first chance to see their favorite Cub – or former Cub now that speedy outfielder Tony Campana has been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Campana, the clear fan favorite during last month’s Cubs Convention was traded for two teenage pitching prospects Monday, eight days after he was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for newly signed outfielder Scott Hairston.
``It’s a difficult decision with regards to Tony, but we were happy to get two arms we like a lot for a guy who was designated for assignment,’’ general manager Jed Hoyer said.
Both pitchers in the deal are 17-year-old right-handers from Venezuela who played in the Dominican Summer League last year: Erick Leal and Jesus Castillo.
Leal is likely to make the transition to the Cubs’ rookie-A-level club in Mesa this season.
``In this kind of deal sometimes it takes going a little bit lower to find the right value,’’ said Hoyer, who had reports on the pitchers dating back to before they signed with Arizona. ``We’re excited about what we got.’’
Campana, 26, was one of the fastest players in the National League last year and led the Cubs with 30 stolen bases. His inability to consistently reached base made him expendable.
