CHICAGO -- Pat Tabler, a young infielder who has bounced around more this year than most of the ground balls he fields, now is a Chicago Cub.
The New York Yankees, who technically have held rights to Tabler through the entire season, sent him to the Cubs Wednesday in return for cash or a player to be named.
Tabler, batting .300 with six homers and 37 RBI with the Iowa Oaks of the American Association, will report to the Cubs Friday to take the place of pitcher Rawley Eastwick, placed on the disabled list Tuesday.
Tabler began the season with the Yanks' Columbus farm team of the International League but was 'loaned' to the Cubs' Iowa team as part of the deal that sent Cubs' pitcher Rick Reuschel to the Yankees for Doug Bird.
Originally, the Cubs announced they would have the right to retain Tabler and planned to do so. But after settlement of the players' strike, the Cubs instead accepted pitcher Tom Griffin from the Yankees to complete the Reuschel deal.
The Cubs said the new deal entitles the Yankees to a player to be designated by Feb. 15, 1982. If the teams cannot agree on a player, the Cubs will pay New York $200,000 -- half the amount the Yankees sent to the Cubs in the Reuschel trade.
