The Cubs have acquired 23-year old righty starting pitcher Barret Loux and a player to be named later from the Rangers for 24-year old righty starter/reliever Jacob Brigham. Loux came into last season as the Rangers’ #20 prospect according to Baseball America. Loux pitched in 25 games (all starts) in AA-ball for the Rangers last year and he was 14-1 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He has now pitched in 46 games (all starts) in his first two years in the minors and he is 22-6 with a 3.62 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Jacob Brigham was acquired by the Cubs from the Rangers in the Geovany Soto deal last July. Brigham pitched in 23 games (all starts) in AA-ball for the Rangers and Cubs last year and he was 5-7 with a 4.72 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. I like this deal for the Cubs as Loux seems like a pretty nice prospect for the future.

The Cubs have designated 30-year old lefty swinging 1B Bryan LaHair for assignment. LaHair played in 130 games for the Cubs last year and he was 88 of 340 (.259 avg, .784 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 16 homers, 40 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He actually made the N.L. All-Star Game as he played well before the Cubs called up Anthony Rizzo to replace him at 1B. LaHair played in 150 games in his two years with the Cubs and he was 105 of 399 (.263 avg, .799 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 18 homers, 46 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. This move is surprising, but maybe the Cubs will be able to deal him for a prospect.

UPDATE: (11/22/2012) - Bryan LaHair has signed on with the Softbank Hawks of Japan.