Welcome to the Blue, Carlos Marmol!

How about that!  A rumored trade actually comes true.  So, in celebration I made the above fantasy card of Marmol.

Fortunately, this deal is far from horrible.  In fact, it makes a lot of sense when placed into the context of the story written by Bill Shaikin of the LA Times yesterday.

Kasten, speaking generally, said the Dodgers had no interest in trading any of their few top-tier prospects for a veteran whose contract expires when the season ends.

"If it's for a piece that would be a piece we could keep for the long term, you'd have to look at it," Kasten said, "but certainly not for a rental."

Kasten said he believes it takes three to five years to rebuild a minor league system. The new owners have invested heavily in scouting, particularly in international scouting.

This deal for Marmol in exchange for Matt Guerrier is all about bringing in fresh blood to the bullpen by essentially exchanging a under-performing bullpen veteran for another under-performing bullpen veteran.  Of course, since Mormol had been DFA'd by the Cubs he may never actually find himself in Los Angeles.  I suspect he'll pitch in AAA before even wearing Blue.  Anyway, the Dodgers also got cash back from the Cubs (said to be about $2Mil per Tim Brown) and International Signing bonus slot #92 money.

The key, I think, is the latter item.  The Dodgers basically get to spend an extra $209,700 on international free agents in order to bolster their farm system, and I suspects we'll know soon who that extra player will be.  BTW, I did not realize you could trade international draft slots until today.  This provides a very interesting aspect to future trades, and I am hopeful that one day teams will be allowed to trade their drafts picks in the amateur draft.

Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed reliever Carlos Marmol and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-hander Matt Guerrier. The Dodgers also acquired international signing bonus slot No. 92 valued at $209,700 from the Cubs as part of the deal.

Marmol, 30, was 23-32 with a 3.50 ERA and 117 saves in 483 games (13 starts) in eight big league seasons with Chicago. The native of the Dominican Republic, who was originally signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent on July 3, 1999, has limited opponents to a .185 batting average in his career with 703 strikeouts, the most in Cubs history by a reliever, in 542.1 innings. Since 2007, Marmol leads Major League relievers with 644 strikeouts, 125 more than his closest competitor (Jonathan Papelbon, 519), and ranks fourth with a .174 opponents’ batting average. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder was selected as a 2008 NL All-Star and has posted 20 or more saves in each of the last three seasons, including a career-high 38 saves (4th, NL) in 2010.

Marmol was 2-4 with a 5.86 ERA and two saves in 31 appearances this season. He struck out 32 in 27.2 innings this year and limited opponents to a .252 batting average, including a .119 mark against left-handers (5-for-42). Prior to being designated for assignment on June 25, Marmol had tossed scoreless relief in five of his last six games.

*The Fantasy card above uses a pic via 2011 media day, via Ezra Shaw/Getty.

Below are Mormol's career stats, via Baseball Reference:

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