Cubs acquire Lars Huijer from Seattle

The Chicago Cubs have sent Mike Kickham to Seattle in exchange for Dutch pitcher Lars Huijer.

Lars, inhabitant of Hoofddorp in the Netherlands joined the Mariners organization in 2011. His brother Sven had a minor league career in the Red Sox organization.

Lars was named Mariners pitcher of the year in 2013 when he had a strong season in Everett (A short season). In that season he won 8 and lost 2 games in 13 starts and sported a 3.03  ERA.

Last season he split time between Clinton (A Full Season) and High Desert (A Advanced). In Clinton he won 4 and lost 5 games with a 4.55 ERA. In High Desert (or Adelanto) he struggled a bit. He  clinched 2 victories and lost 4 and sported a 6.54 ERA. Since the California League in which High Desert plays is a hitters league, the struggle can be explained. You can pitch well, but a hit travels further because of the dry air.

It remains to be seen where Huijer will play the upcoming season. If the Cubs decide to let him play at A advanced level, he will play for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League.

I wish him a lot of luck.