The Chicago Cubs have acquired outfielder Justin Ruggiano from the Miami Marlins for outfielder Brian Bogusevic, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. Ruggiano has been on the trading block for most of the Winter Meetings.
Ruggiano, 31, will replace Bogusevic on the Cubs' depth chart as the team's left fielder. GM Jed Hoyer noted today that the team "didn't have that veteran right-handed bat who can platoon and hit lefties", which prompted the Ruggiano deal. Ruggiano hit .222 with 18 HR and 50 RBI in 128 games for the Marlins in 2013, and is a lifetime .251 hitter with 37 HR and 109 RBI in five major league seasons with the Rays and Marlins.
The Giants were also linked to Ruggiano in recent days, but decided instead to sign Mike Morse to a one-year contract.
Bogusevic, who turns 30 in February, hit .273 with 6 HR and 16 RBI in 47 major league games in 2013. He also appeared in 86 minor league games, hitting .324 with 10 HR and 37 RBI. He will probably be the Marlins' fourth outfielder next season behind Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton.