Cubs acquire Rivas in trade with A's
It's not earth-shattering news in advance of their annual fan convention this weekend, but the Cubs did make an interesting trade Monday.
In exchange for minor-league first baseman Alfonso Rivas, the Cubs sent veteran infielder/outfielder Tony Kemp to the Athletics.
The deal reduced the Cubs' 40-man roster to 38.
The 23-year-old Rivas combined to hit .292 with 26 doubles, 9 home runs and 60 RBI in 122 games with high Class A Stockton and AAA Las Vegas last year.
A left-handed hitter, Rivas played in the Arizona Fall League after the season and batted .306 over 15 games.
Primarily a first baseman, the 6-foot, 190-pounder also plays right and left field.
According to Baseball America, Rivas ranked No. 18 on Oakland's top prospects list last season.
"He's got that pure, effortless Wally Joyner swing," A's minor-league director Keith Lieppman told Baseball America last February. "He's a nice, sweet-swinging left-hander with a great glove. He has a smoothness and grace about him, like Keith Hernandez and Adrian Gonzalez, guys who were good hitters and good first basemen."
Kemp was acquired by the Cubs in a trade from the Astros last July. In 44 games, he hit .183 with 3 doubles, 1 home run and 12 RBI.
The 35th annual Cubs Convention runs Friday-Sunday at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.