Sox get prospect Carpenter for Theo

FORT MYERS -- The matter of compensation between the Red Sox and Cubs for the departure of former Boston GM Theo Epstein has been settled, with the Sox receiving right-hander Chris Carpenter and a player to be named from the Cubs in exchange for a player to be named. Right-hander Bobby Jenks was placed on the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for Carpenter.

Carpenter, a 2008 third-rounder who is 26 years old, had a 2.79 ERA, eight strikeouts and seven walks while making his major league debut in late-2011, tossing 9 2/3 innings in 10 games. He limited left-handed batters to a .143 average (2-for-14) and held opponents scoreless in eight of 10 outings.  The right-hander also combined for 32 relief appearances between Chicago’s Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa clubs last year, going 3-4 with two saves and a 5.91 ERA (28 ER/42.2 IP) between the two stops with 34 strikeouts and 27 walks in 42 2/3 innings.

The Sox scouted Carpenter's fastball at 95-97 mph, up to 99 and 100 mph in the Arizona Fall League. His slider is his best secondary pitch, though his command and control both require development and refinement. The Sox see him as a potential late-innings setup man if he can harness his stuff in the strike zone.

Though he was not ranked among the top 10 prospects in the Cubs season by Baseball America this year, Carpenter was named the No. 6 prospect in Chicago's farm system prior to the 2011 season, with the following scouting report:

"Carpenter profiles as a No. 3 starter or set-up man. Pitching out of the rotation, he works at 91-96 mph with his fastball, which has good life for a four-seamer. In relief in the AFL, he pitched at 94-99 mph and touched 101 in the Rising Stars Game. His low-80s breaking ball is a solid slider with bite at times and more slurvy at others. His changeup has deception and fade but probably won't ever be more than his third pitch. Carpenter still is figuring out control and command, as he runs into problems with walks and gets hit more than someone with his fastball should. He needs to do a better job of controlling the running game after giving up 23 steals in 29 attempts last year. He works diligently to stay healthy."

For complete Red Sox coverage, visit weei.com/redsox.