Insurance policy arrives

Perhaps indicating at least some small concerns about how young left-handed starters Sean Marshall and Rich Hill might hold up in the heat of a pennant race, the Cubs traded for some veteran insurance Friday, getting right-hander Steve Trachsel from the Baltimore Orioles.

The price for the 36-year-old former Cub was pitcher Rocky Cherry and infielder Scott Moore.

Trachsel was 6-8 with the Orioles with a 4.48 ERA in 25 starts. He was 1-1 with a 2.37 ERA in his last 6 starts.

"Steve has thrown very well the last month," said Cubs general manager Jim Hendry. "We thought it was a deal we had to do to give us a real deep starting pitching group.

"He was one of the real significant guys that cleared waivers. He was a hot ticket the last few days."

The Cubs plan to use Trachsel as a starter, perhaps against tougher right-handed hitting teams.

"He's going to pitch in the rotation," said manager Lou Piniella. "We'll probably go to a modified six-(man rotation) and we'll pitch him against a few teams. It gives us a lot of protection in case something goes wrong here with injuries, plus he's been pitching very well."

Trachsel was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster, which makes him eligible for the playoff roster. The Cubs will have an option on Trachsel's contract for next year at $4.75 million.

"He can pitch," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "He's got a lot of innings under his belt in the major leagues. He's a veteran right-handed pitcher that I think will help us down the stretch.

"It'll be good to have a guy that's been through it a little bit with experience."

Hendry completed the deal for Trachsel with former Cubs president Andy MacPhail, now the Orioles' president of baseball operations.

"We've wanted to augment the pitching," Hendry said. "We've got extra games coming, and we're at the time of year where you don't want to get caught short.

"Lou and Larry will figure it out. If they want to give somebody an extra day of rest, they can."

Hendry said he hasn't lost confidence in any of his five starters.

"It was not meant in any way to replace somebody in the rotation, but you're one hamstring away from having the need for two starters," Hendry said.

"It's similar to why we did (the deal for outfielder Craig) Monroe. I didn't want to get into a spot where you're in the thick of it the 20-something of September and you have to start a young man that doesn't have the experience."