Cubs Trade Zach McKinstry to Tigers for RHP Carlos Guzman

The Cubs announced Monday that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Carlos Guzman from Detroit for infielder Zach McKinstry. There had been a lot of talk early in camp that other teams were interested in McKinstry, who was really without a spot between Nick Madrigal moving to third base and Miles Mastrobuoni coming on strong as a super-utility player. Then there’s Christopher Morel, of course.

Guzman, 24, posted a 4.11 ERA (49 ER/107.1 IP) in 27 games (23 starts) between High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie last season, striking out 90 against 34 walks. He spent a majority of the season with West Michigan, pitching to a 0.41 ERA (1 ER/22.0 IP) with a .372 opponent OPS in his final four outings prior to his promotion to Erie.

Signed by the Tigers as an undrafted free agent in March of 2015, Guzman is 22-22 with a 3.80 ERA in 84 career minor league games (64 starts). He has walked 118 and struck out 298 batters, allowing less than one home run per 9 innings.

McKinstry was acquired by Chicago last July 30 for right-handed pitcher Chris Martin and went on to hit .206 with six doubles, three triples, four home runs, and 12 RBI in 47 games for the Cubs.