Feb. 16: The Cubs have formally announced the signing of Simmons to a one-year, split Major League contract. He’s been placed on the 40-man roster, with left-hander Drew Smyly (recovering from Tommy John surgery) moving to the 60-day DL to create a roster spot.
Feb. 14: The Cubs have signed righty Shae Simmons to a split contract, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports (Twitter links). The deal will pay Simmons $750K if he cracks Chicago’s Major League roster, and $120K if he remains in the minors. The contract will be official once Simmons passes a physical, according to MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat.
That last detail is an important one given how Simmons has been plagued by injuries for the better part of three years. Simmons looked good as a hard-throwing rookie with the Braves in 2014 but then underwent Tommy John surgery in February 2015. Beyond just the usual 12-15 month recovery timeline for that procedure, Simmons’ return by halted by a variety of injury setbacks, and then further halted by a forearm strain that kept him out of action for a large chunk of the 2017 season. Over the last two seasons, Simmons has tossed only 14 1/3 total innings.
The Mariners acquired Simmons and Mallex Smith for Luiz Gohara and lefty prospect Thomas Burrows in January 2017, though Simmons’ forearm problems kept him from developing into any sort of a real weapon out of Seattle’s bullpen. The M’s non-tendered Simmons last December, ending his tenure with the team after just 7 2/3 innings and a 7.04 ERA.
Despite the injuries and the control problems that have plagued Simmons throughout his career, the Cubs have little to lose in taking a flier on the 27-year-old. Simmons has shown flashes of dominance when healthy, including some dominant numbers (2.06 ERA, 12.6 K/9) over 131 1/3 career minor league frames.
No!!!!!! Say it ain’t so Shae.
He grew up a Cards fan too
We’re from the same town and know each other.
And I’m a Cards fan. This is a tough spot. Root for Shae and against the Cubbies
Also, can totally see him breaking out this year
I hope he does. Loved him with the braves, and wish him all the best!
Fully expect to see him mowing down Cardinals at some point this season.
You can’t blame the guy for wanting to play for winner….
Why is it tough to see?
Happens in all sports. Playing for the rival is a common thing.
It’s also a common thing for fans to not like seeing the players they like playing for their rival teams…
You can root for Shae. In all likelihood, if he sees any time with the Cubs, things are going according to plan for them.
JFactor, does that mean you are from Scott City? I’m in Cape and I saw him pitch for SEMO many times.
I’m from Cape, lots of mutual friends
I went to college at Semo! Graduated in 1985! 2 of my roommates played baseball there
Small world!
Seems like it huh !
If I were him I would sign with the Marlins if it were my only chance to play in the majors.
They play where they are paid. I would be willing to bet that 90% of the league plays for teams they didn’t grow up rooting for.
Oh for sure. Fandom goes away when you are a pro.
But in a lot of cases they choose where they play.
which is usually the place with the most money
Don’t worry, he probably won’t ever make the MLB team.
Has legit stuff
Had legit stuff.
Small sample last year, but wasn’t bad with Atlanta in 33 games over his career. Fewer hits than IP, and his FIP is 3.22. Ks equal IP. Not a bad guy to have hanging around. What I’m more concerned with is the closer – will Morrow be able to handle the job? Would rather have a closer and be able to use Morrow as a great set-up man. But if they had re-signed Wade Davis, then no Yu.
Oh wow world champons sign nother big pitcher!! First Yu Darvish, now Shay Simon!! I know wait anymore for swingy-swingy game with little white balls!! Oh yay!!
Sorry for bad EggWish
Astute
Dude…
Please remove cubs from your screen name if you want to continue to be a dingus
This
This is a no dingus/dingbat zone.
Why sounds like a typical cub fan to me.
The stereotyping fanbases thing gets us nowhere. Even if they occasionally have a basis in fact.
This
he’s a troll. not a cubs fan. its pretty obvious
I thought the Astros were WS Champs….
They signed the biggest pitcher of them all. There will be no bigger signing for the Cubs than this Simmons signing. This is going to be Arrieta all over again. The Cubs will harness his stuff while Maddon helps him harness his inner chee.
Another arm for this historic Cubs team..
Top three players at every position and best starting staff since the 90’s Braves. Not to mention the greatest big game manager of all time…
Probably a dynasty right? What do you think minimum eight-pete?
I know we Cubs fans are known to be a little delirious, but you have taken it way over the edge. Cubbies are probably a lock again for the central, but lets not get carried away.
Just having a little fun with a couple over the top Cubs posters,that Bryzzo guy,and wannabee. I do believe Cubs have the best team on paper in the NL…
Sorry…I was wondering…I think the Cubs will be good but lol…it’s not to hard to believe though that this is what cubs fans think
This
every team
has it’s over the top loonies
This
Good lord
Please explain how they have the top three players at every position?
I think it was really thick sarcasm and it’s going over some peoples’ heads. The “best since 90’s Braves” bit should’ve given that away.
I’ve noticed that a lot of posters can’t read into the sarcasm on the comments here. (Or, like me, assume something is sarcastic when it wasn’t meant to be.) Maybe it’s time we make a decision as a community to put a “/s” at the end of a sarcastic post. Like how many commenters on Reddit do.
I would have to do that after every post cause I’m always sarcastic /s?
Anyone who needs to advertise sarcasm isn’t sarcastic.
Like having to explain a joke !
This is called sarcasm. But knowing Cubs fans – and I am one – people aren’t sure because Cubs fans can be so ridiculous at times. I tend to be more objective, perhaps because I’m a writer. In any event, they do have a solid rotation, one through five, but Lester showed some bad signs last year and they have to keep Darvish healthy. As for the position players, only places where they might be top three are at 1B, 3B and maybe catcher.
That’s exactly what I was thinking
This
This
The dueling “this” -es is cracking me up
This
Finally an honest Cubs fan. Lester showed a decline last year and there are serious questions about Darvish’s health. Bryant is a solid but unspectacular player and Rizzo may be the most over rated player in the league.
Dominoes are falling fast. Good thing too, I just looked up the Phillies broadcast schedule and the first televised spring training game is February 24th.
Ten days.
Thought there’s a MLB Network broadcast on 23rd, no? Maybe I’m mistaken.
WAY WAY TOO LONG
Great move. Very high upside
This is the Cubs reaction to the Cardinals signing Norris
NOT This
Not this
shae was nasty as a brave. wish the best for him! lotta upside for the cubbies
I love how every single post in this thread has been given down votes lol.
Trolls are out
I swear, some people only have an account just to downvote every post.
This
How do you down vote ?
This move was to answer cards signing of Bud Norris
Ha
NOT this
So the Mariners traded Gohara for this guy, only to let him go? Why do we always seem to trade for guys coming off injuries? Jerry has lousy luck in rolling the dice on these guys. Losing too many prospects for nothing.
I think you left out the additional acquisition of Mallex Smith, which might have been the bigger piece.
Is the split contract a new thing in baseball since the last CBA? Hockey calls it a two-way contract, but I’ve never heard it mentioned in relation to MLB.
Split contracts have been around for quite some time….first mention I can find of it is the 2003-2006 CBA “The minimum salary is increased from $200,000 in 2002 to $300,000 in 2003 and 2004, and $316,000 (after cost-of-living increase) in 2005. Players with split contracts in the minors increase from $40,500 in 2002 to $50,000 in 2003 and 2004, and $52,500 in 2005.” legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/le…
Never heard of him. Is he good?
Depth move at best. No risk, potential reward although limited at best. Theo trying to catch lightning in the bottle once again. Nothing to see here folks, please move along.