The Colorado Rockies acquired right-hander James Farris from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for righty Eddie Butler, the teams announced on Wednesday. Colorado and Chicago also swapped international slots as part of the deal.
Farris, 24, went 2-5 with a 2.59 ERA and 13 saves in 66 innings split between Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach and Double-A Tennessee in 2016. The former University of Arizona hurler was selected by the Cubs in the ninth round of the '14 Draft.
"We've had multiple looks at [Farris] throughout his career, and we really zeroed in on him during the Arizona Fall League," said Rockies assistant GM Jon Weil. "We've had him [clocked] at 96 [mph]. He usually is around for 92, 93 mph, but with very hard, late, nasty cut life.
"Our focus is always on pitching -- either power guys or different-look guys, and he fits that mode. We believe he can be a part of our Major League bullpen at some point, and how he performs will determine what role he has."
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Butler, 25, went 2-5 with a 7.17 ERA in 17 appearances (nine starts) for the Rockies in 2016. A first-round selection in the '12 Draft by Colorado, Butler has posted a 6.50 ERA in 36 career games (28 starts) with the Rockies.
In addition to the player swap, Colorado acquired international bonus money slot No. 28 from Chicago for international bonus money slot No. 94.
The Rockies' 40-man roster remains full following the deal.