Cubs' housecleaning continues

By Kevin Goldstein
February 9, 2005

Just one week after dumping Sammy Sosa to the Orioles, the Cubs continued in their attempts to remake their clubhouse by trading enigmatic reliever Kyle Farnsworth and a player to be named to the Tigers for a trio of minor leaguers. In return for the fireballilng righty, the Cubs received Dominican righthander Roberto Novoa, outfielder Bo Flowers, and third baseman Scott Moore.

Farnsworth, 28, had worn out his welcome in Chicago with inconsistent performance on the mound, and an inability to control his emotions. His most embarrassing moment came last August, when after another disappointing effort (he had a 19.29 ERA in 11 August games), he kicked an electric fan in the clubhouse, injuring his knee and landing him on the disabled list. Farnsworth’s numbers have never matched his stuff, including a 4-5, 4.73 record in 72 games in 2004. He struck out 78 in 67 innings but also walked 33 while allowing 67 hits, including 10 home runs. His has a career record of 22-37, 4.78 with four saves in 343 career games. A 47th round pick in 1994 out of tiny Abraham Baldwin (Ga.) JC who signed as a draft-and-follow in 1995, Farnsworth’s fastball is electric, sitting in the high 90s and touching triple digits often. Unfortunately, it is his only plus pitch, and it lacks movement or command. He throws a hard (88-91 mph) slider, but it’s not a strikeout pitch. With Troy Percival signed as a free agent, Farnsworth will assume similar duties in Detroit as a setup man.

Novoa, 25, was seen as the lesser of three prospects the Tigers received in a 2003 trade for Randall Simon, but two years later, he looks like the best after a breakout 2004 campaign that included a successful transition to the bullpen and his major league debut. Novoa went 7-0, 2.96 with four saves at Double-A Erie in 2004. He went 1-1, 5.57 in 16 games during a pair of callups with the Tigers, but allowed only one run over his final seven appearances. His career minor league record is 29-24, 3.76 in 109 games with a 314/115 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 449 innings. Tall (6-foot-5) and gangly, Novoa can concentrate on his two best offerings as a reliever--a low-90s sinker and a solid breaking ball, with both pitches being accentuated by excellent command. He has a tendency to work too high in the zone, which makes him more hittable. He’ll compete for a job in the Cubs much-maligned bullpen, which collapsed down the stretch last year and has Ryan Dempster (and his two career saves) currently penciled in as the club’s closer. If Novoa fails to shine during spring training, he’ll begin the year at Triple-A Iowa.

Flowers, 21, was considered the best athlete in the Tigers system before the trade. One of the top high school quarterbacks in the nation as a senior in high school, Flowers received a $215,000 bonus as a fifth-round pick in 2002 to sway him away from playing football and baseball at Arizona State. In 2 ½ years in the Tigers system, Flowers has played all but six games of his career in short-season ball, struggling to translate his unquestioned tools into on-the-field performance. He took a major step forward in 2004, batting .280/.341/.407 at short-season Oneonta, including the first four home runs of his career. His professional totals are .267/.307/.343 in 150 games, with five home runs and 31 stolen bases. Flowers offers potential in both the power and speed departments, yet he remains extremely raw. He has good bat speed, but woeful plate discipline has been his downfall, and he’s still learning how to take advantage of his speed on the basepaths. A Chicago area product from Walter Lutheran High School in Melrose Park, Flowers will get his first shot at a full season of play with Peoria, the Cubs new affiliate in the Midwest League.

Moore, 21, has been one of the Tigers’ biggest disappointments since getting a $2.3 million bonus as the eighth overall pick in the 2002 draft. He hit a career low .223 for Lakeland in the Florida State League, though he smacked a career-high 14 home runs. In 265 career games, Moore has struck out 266 times while hitting just .240/.327/.386 with 24 home runs. Moore has two big skills that team’s covet--power and plate discipline. Unfortunately, his inability to make contact has far overridden any other offensive value so far. Drafted as a shortstop, Moore’s lack of speed necessitated a move to third base, but the results have also been less than remarkable, including 28 errors in 2004, which led all FSL third baseman. His arm is plus, but his footwork and range are lacking. He’s probably not ready for Double-A, and would be best-served by a return to the Florida State League, this time with Daytona.