Cubs trade Carlos Marmol to Dodgers for Matt Guerrier

The Chicago Cubs have traded Carlos Marmol, cash considerations ($2 million) and their fourth international signing bonus slot ($209,700) to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Matt Guerrier, according to an announcement from the teams. Both relievers were designated for assignment in the last week.

For the deal to go through, Marmol had to give his approval based on the partial no-trade clause in his contract. He will head to the minor leagues for a few outings, according to ESPN's Keith Law, and will likely join the Triple-A bullpen in Albuquerque. After a solid 2012 season, the embattled 30-year old stumbled to a 5.86 ERA in 31 appearances with Chicago, and hopes that a change of scenery will benefit his future. Marmol is a free agent after the season, so the next three months are crucial in determining how he is valued by teams this winter.

Guerrier, 34, is 2-3 with a 4.80 ERA on the year with the Dodgers, and is also a free agent after the season. He will join Pedro Strop, who was acquired from the Orioles earlier in the day, as the newest members of a revamped Cubs' bullpen.

This move is one of three trades on the day for the busy Cubs, who also shipped Scott Feldman and Steve Clevenger to the Orioles for Jake Arrieta and Strop and sent minor leaguer Ronald Torreyes to the Astros in exchange for two international signing bonus slots. In total, the team acquired $963,100 in international pool money in addition to the three pitchers, and will allot that money to the many intriguing international prospects that are still available.

With two major pieces already on the way out of Chicago, expect this to be a busy month for the North Siders. Players like Matt Garza, Kevin Gregg and Nate Schierholtz are all expected to be on the move soon.