CHICAGO -- The Cubs are hoping a change of scenery can help Eddie Butler. On Wednesday, the Cubs acquired the right-hander and the bonus money for slot No. 94 ($235,200) of the current international signing period from the Rockies for right-hander James Farris and the bonus pool money for slot No. 28 ($563,700).
Butler has an option remaining and could be extra insurance for Chicago's rotation.
 
Cubs acquire Eddie Butler from Rockies for James Farris
 
A 2012 supplemental first-round Draft pick, the Cubs were eager to have pitching coach Chris Bosio work with him. The Rockies designated Butler for assignment on Saturday after they signed Greg Holland.
Butler has spent parts of the last three seasons with the Rockies, posting a 6-16 record and 6.50 ERA in 36 appearances (28 starts). In five Minor League seasons, Butler was 32-25 with a 3.33 ERA in 87 outings, all but one as a starter. Last season, Butler split time between the Rockies and Triple-A Albuquerque, and he was 8-3 with a 4.45 ERA in 15 starts in the Minors and 2-5 with a 7.17 ERA in 17 appearances (nine starts) in the big leagues. Farris was selected by the Cubs in the ninth round of the 2014 Draft, and he was 4-13 with 22 saves and a 2.91 ERA in 88 Minor League relief appearances over the last three seasons. To make room for Butler on the Cubs' 40-man roster, right-hander Dylan Floro was designated for assignment. The Cubs had claimed Floro off waivers from the Rays on Jan. 17. Under the recently expired Collective Bargaining Agreement, which applies to the current international signing period, each team was allotted a $700,000 base for its international signings. In addition to that base, the team got a signing bonus pool that was made up of four slot values, based on the previous season's record. The Cubs received the No. 28 slot value ($563,700), which was traded to Colorado, plus No. 58 ($380,700), No. 88 ($257,100) and No. 118 ($161,100), for an original total of $2,063,100 during the current period, which began on July 2, 2016. Under the new CBA, starting with the 2017 signing period that begins on July 2, every team will get at least $4.75 million. Any team receiving a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the Draft will get $5.25 million in international bonus pool money. Teams receiving a Competitive Balance Round B pick will have $5.75 million to spend.
Carrie Muskat /MLB.com
 

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