By Jim Callis
December 19, 2003

Jose Macias had a dismal 2003 season and was eligible for arbitration, making him very expendable in the eyes of the Expos. They found a taker on Friday, one day before they likely would have nontendered him, shipping him to the Cubs for Triple-A righthander Wilton Chavez.

Macias, 31, played all three outfield positions as well as third and second base for the Expos this year. He hit just .239/.273/.353 with four homers and 22 RBIs in 111 games. His best tool is his speed, but he negates it with an overaggressive approach and underwhelming baserunning instincts. He offers a little pop and competent defense at multiple positions. Macias is eligible for arbitration for the first time after making $825,000 in 2003. He's a career .255/.302/.378 hitter with 22 homers, 138 RBIs and 35 steals in 449 games.

Chavez, 25, signed out of the Dominican Republic in 1998. Thought to be 16 at the time, he had his age revised upward by nearly three years when the Immigration and Naturalization Service began cracking down on falsified documents. (Incidentally, Macias suddenly aged two years for the same reason.) Chavez reached Triple-A in 2003, going 11-7, 4.24 in 26 games (22 starts). He had a 113-51 strikeout-walk ratio in 140 innings as opponents batted .269 with 17 homers. Chavez ranked well down the Cubs' depth chart of arms. His slurvy slider may be his best pitch, and his 87-91 mph fastball and changeup are just OK.