Major League Baseball

Cubs trade Marshall to Reds

Published Dec. 20, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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The Cincinnati Reds officially annouced a trade on Friday with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs sent left-handed reliever Sean Marshall to Cincinnati for left-hander Travis Wood, outfielder Dave Sappelt and minor-leaguer Ronald Torreyes, the Reds released in a statement.

Wood intrigued Cubs president Theo Epstein last season when Epstein was GM of the Red Sox, sources said.

Marshall, 29, has been one of the game’s top left-handed relievers the past two seasons. He will earn $3.1 million in 2012, then become eligible for free agency.

Wood, 24, remains a pitcher of promise, but he endured two minor league demotions last season, finishing 6-6 with a 4.84 ERA in 22 games, including 18 starts. He was expendable in part because of the Reds’ recent acquisition of Mat Latos from the Padres.

The Reds’ rotation currently includes right-handers Latos, Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey. The acquisition of Marshall makes lefty Aroldis Chapman a stronger candidate to start as well. Not counting Chapman, the Reds had just one left-handed reliever, Bill Bray.

Marshall, who had a 2.26 ERA in 75 2/3 innings last season, will likely be  a setup man for the Reds. General manager Walt Jocketty has said that the team continues to look for a closer; the return of free agent Francisco Cordero remains a possibility.

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