The Chicago Cubs traded for utility player Freddie Bynum in a three-team trade involving the Texas Rangers and Oakland A's today, reports the AP. The Cubs sent lefthanded pitcher John Koronka to the Rangers. That means Michael Wuertz has made the team and infielder Ryan Theriot has been optioned to the minors.

Bynum bats left and throws right. He was a 2nd round draft pick by the A's in 2000. Bynum spent last year at triple-A Sacramento, hitting .278/.347/.384 in 102 games. Those numbers were remarkably similar to the numbers he put up in 2004, splitting time between triple-A and double-A. Over the past two seasons, he's stolen 44 bases with an 80% success rate. Bynum hit .373/.439/.667 in 51 at-bats this spring.

Bynum is out of options and he was not going to make the A's big league club, necessitating the trade on the part of the A's.

I agree with Derek Smart -- Bynum is a better 25th man than Theriot.