The Cubs parted ways with arbitration eligible righty reliever Aaron Heilman on the 19th of November for two midlevel prospects, lefty reliever Scott Maine (AAA) and lefty OF/1B Ryan White (High A).  This marks the third time in the last year that Heilman has been traded.  The Cubs acquired him from the Mariners in exchange for SS Ronny Cedeno and RHP Garrett Olsen (whom the Cubs acquired when trading Felix Pie to Baltimore).  So granted we gave up more to get Heilman than what we received, the club was tempted on non-tendering him a contract this offseason where we would have received nothing.  For in-depth reports on the trade return of Maine and White, keep reading…

Maine was once regarded as one of the nations’ top high school arms in 2003 before a Tommy John surgery that cost him his entire 2004 college season season. He was selected by the Mariners in the 23rd Rd in 2003 but did not sign. Maine still continued with his scholarship to the University of Miami where he qualified for redshirt status due to his injuries including a serious car accident that forced him to wear a protective facemask for the entire 2006 season.  The Rockies drafted him in the 23rd round in 2006 but he returned to Miami for his 2007 season as a fourth year junior.  It was during his 2007 season where started to live up to some of his projected potential showing off a four pitch arsenal.

Scott has a deceptive low arm angle slot angle with a solid fastball that registers 88-92 mph, a nasty curveball, a good changeup and a modest slider.  The soon to be 25 year old 6′3 lefty Maine has alot going for him, he pitched at AA and AAA last season in a combined 62 IP, he 69 H, 2 HR, 22 BB, 61 K with a line of 2.90 ERA/1.47 WHIP/.282 BAA, most of which was logged in AA.  He has a good K rate but his H and BB rate are a higher than what is called for.  His arm angle gives him deception but it also leads to his high walk rate.  Stuffwise he’s okay, his curve is by far his strikeout pitch but the rest of his arsenal is just so-so.  Maine was in the Arizona Fall League this winter and saw limited action, Scott should start the 2010 season in AAA.

White is a 23 year old pure lefty first baseman/outfielder who was taken in the fourth round of the 2008 draft.  Ryne has an advanced approach at the plate, hitting with plus contact and showing good plate discipline.  His biggest knock throughout his career has been his power, his stroke is so even and he splays the ball out well.  He’ll hit plenty of doubles with his gap power and line shots but homeruns will be short throughout his career.  The scouts predict somewhere between 10-20 homers a season with most expectations being around the 10-15 mark.  Defensively, he has really good hands and great range at first base.  Still his lack of power while playing a power position goes against him along with his frame, but the same can be said for former Cub Mark Grace.

Ryne played the entire 2009 season at High A where in 418 at bats he had 111 hits with 18 2B, 1 3B, 6 hr, 62 R, 52 RBI, 3/6 SB, 65 BB, 87 K with a line of .266/.371/.356/.737.  His continual lack of power had Arizona willing to depart with him despite his strong hitting skills.  He profiles as a Mark Grace or Matt Stairs type player.  His lack of power along with his lack of position and size are all up hill battles for White to overcome to become a contributor down the road.

Maine and White are not guaranteed stars in the big leagues but both have the potential to contribute to the MLB club down the road.  Given that Heilman was going to be non-tendered and the Cubs were going to get nothing, this was a decent return.