Chicago Cubs: Jason Hammel Set to Return with a 2-year Contract
The Chicago Cubs have decided to bring back starting pitcher, Jason Hammel, CBSSports.com reported early. According to Jon Morosi with FoxSports.com, the right-hander agreed to a 2-year contract worth $18 million with a club option for 2017. The deal is only pending on a physical.
Hammel finished the 2014 season with a win-loss record of 10-11. Overall, he posted a 3.47 ERA over 176.1 innings pitched. In early July, Hammel was traded alongside Jeff Samardzija to the Oakland Athletics. In his 12 starts with the A's, Hammel posted a 4.26 ERA in 68 innings. Prior to his trade, Hammel's numbers with the Cubs were outstanding with a 2.98 ERA over 17 starts and 109 innings.
The Hammel deal is just one part of the Cubs' plan on rebuilding their starting rotation. The Cubs are reportedly still in the mix for free agent Jon Lester, who has been the center of several trade rumors. Lester, who is arguably the number one free agent this offseason, is reportedly also being courted by the Boston Red Sox, the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"The Cubs from (owner Tom Ricketts) all the way down to the clubhouse guys have bent over backwards to make Jon feel like Chicago is the place to be," said Ryan Dempster, a front-office assistant for the Cubs and Lester's former teammate. "If he doesn't take their offer, it won 't be like they had failed. A few teams will be disappointed at the end. He must decide what is right for him and his family in the future."
According to CBS Chicago, teams are willing to offer Lester a six-year contract worth $140 million. With so many teams involved in this bidding war, Lester's value could increase.
In other news, the A's are rumored to be willing to trade Samardzija. So far, sources are reporting that the Chicago White Sox are interested in adding Samardzija to their roster.
