Cubs deal P Williamson to Padres for two prospects

The Chicago Cubs have traded pitcher Scott Williamson to the San Diego Padres for two Class A pitchers, ESPN.com's Buster Olney is reporting.

 

Williamson is 2-2 with a 5.08 ERA in 28 1/3 innings pitched this season.

 

Chicago has struggled all season and is currently in fifth place in the National League Central with a 37-59 record, 17½ games behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals.

 

San Diego is in first place in the NL West but has lost two straight to the San Francisco Giants to see its lead cut to just ½ game entering Saturday's action.

 

The trade sets up the possibility that Williamson will become a member of the Padres' bullpen, or it could help them create enough depth to trade a relief pitcher for another third baseman.

 

Williamson played the first four-plus seasons of his career in Cincinnati before being traded to Boston in 2003. He joined the Cubs in 2005. Williamson's career ERA is just 3.22, but that number has been over five in each of his seasons with Chicago.

 

The names of the Class A pitchers involved in the trade were not immediately known.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2527276

This definately makes them a little more free to move Linebrink for a 3rd baseman.