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Cubs Exercise Cole Hamels’ Option, Trade Drew Smyly To Rangers

By Steve Adams | November 2, 2018 at 11:30am CDT

11:30am: The Rangers have formally announced the acquisition of Smyly and a player to be named later in exchange for a different player to be named later. The Cubs have also announced the moves.

9:42am: The Cubs will exercise their $20MM club option on left-hander Cole Hamels today and also trade fellow left-hander Drew Smyly to the Rangers, reports ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick (via Twitter). Late last night, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that a long-term deal between Hamels and the Cubs was unlikely and that the team could make a move to clear some salary before agreeing to pay Hamels at a $20MM rate for the 2019 season.

Cole Hamels | Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Hamels will step into the rotation spot that had been earmarked for Smyly when he signed a two-year, $10MM deal with Chicago last offseason. Rehabbing from Tommy John surgery at the time, Smyly inked a back-loaded, two-year contract that calls for a $7MM salary in 2019. However, Hamels’ eye-opening resurgence to nearly ace-level status with the Cubs presented Chicago with what it clearly deems a preferable alternative to Smyly.

The Cubs have been weighing all week whether to exercise Hamels’ option or opt for a $6MM buyout. The wrinkle in that scenario is that, under the terms of the trade that sent Hamels to Chicago, the Rangers would be on the hook for the buyout sum. That Texas would pay the $6MM buyout seemed little more than a formality at the time; there was little thought that Hamels would pitch well enough to merit a $20MM salary for the upcoming season.

In essence, then, the reportedly forthcoming trade is a somewhat creative means of the Cubs retaining Hamels while still receiving the benefit of the same level of financial compensation from the Texas organization — if not a bit more. The Rangers will absorb either all of Smyly’s $7MM salary or, speculatively speaking, could agree to pay $6MM of that sum with the Cubs eating $1MM in cost in order to keep the dollars at the same level they’d have been had Texas merely paid the buyout.

In the end, the Rangers will receive a desperately needed rotation piece, while the Cubs will retain the former Phillies ace who immediately won the hearts of Cubs fans with an otherworldly run of success following the trade. Hamels allowed just five runs, total, through his first seven starts with the Cubs and finished out the season with a 2.36 ERA in 76 1/3 innings for the Cubs.

While his 82.3 percent strand rate isn’t sustainable and points to some degree of regression, Hamels nonetheless looked legitimately improved following the trade. He should slot comfortably into the middle of a Cubs rotation that’ll also feature Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and a hopefully healthier Yu Darvish in 2019. The Cubs also have Mike Montgomery on hand as a valuable safety net for the rotation as well as righty Tyler Chatwood, though his three-year contract has been a bust to this point. It seems likely that the Cubs could look for opportunities to unload the remaining $25.5MM on that ill-fated signing this offseason in order to further clear some salary.

That, perhaps, is the largest remaining question at play here. Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein has been vocal about his desire to improve an offense that, as he put it, “broke” late in the 2018 season and certainly in the team’s National League Wild Card loss to the Rockies. It’s seemed fair to assume that the Cubs would be prepared to spend aggressively as a means of doing so, either by investing in the free-agent market or looking at established bats on the trade market.

However, ESPN’s Buster Olney tweeted this morning that other teams have gotten the sense that the Cubs’ payroll flexibility is far more limited than one might think. If that’s the case, moving Chatwood or some other money could be something of a prerequisite for further additions. Even with Smyly off the books, Hamels’ salary will push the Cubs’ payroll north of the $200MM mark (when factoring in arbitration-eligible players and pre-arb players) — quite possibly close to the $206MM luxury tax barrier; Smyly’s contract came with a $5MM luxury tax hit, whereas Hamels’ deal after the option is exercised effectively becomes a seven-year, $158MM contract and would carry a $22.5MM luxury hit. The maximum capacity of the Chicago payroll remains unknown, but the Cubs have already pushed into record territory by exercising Hamels’ option, and the offseason has yet to truly begin in earnest.

Drew Smyly | Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images

As for the Rangers, while Smyly’s health is an unknown, he’s the type of arm they can dream on as they strive to cobble together a rotation after virtually everything possible went wrong on their starting staff in 2018. Mike Minor and Smyly are the only real locks for the Texas rotation next season, but Smyly brings significant upside to a team whose internal options beyond Minor were otherwise uninspiring.

General manager Jon Daniels will still need to add further established options and depth pieces to the starting staff, as the current best options after Minor and Smyly look to be Ariel Jurado, Yohander Mendez, Adrian Sampson and Austin Bibens-Dirkx. None of that quartet has found success at the big league level yet, and most of the bunch even struggled in the upper minors.

The further upshot for the Rangers is that as they enter a possible transitional or rebuilding phase, Smyly could very well emerge as a coveted trade asset on the summer market. Smyly hasn’t pitched since the 2016 season due to ongoing injury troubles — most notably the aforementioned Tommy John surgery — but he sports a career 3.74 ERA with 8.7 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 1.22 HR/9 and a 36.3 percent ground-ball rate in 570 1/3 innings. Smyly has shown flashes of brilliance at times and looked like a potential impact starter — perhaps never more so than when starring for Team USA in the most recent World Baseball Classic — though he’s yet to consistently tap into his talent while also struggling to stay on the field.

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Chicago Cubs Newsstand Texas Rangers Transactions Cole Hamels Drew Smyly

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140 Comments

  1. KB R.

    7 years ago

    man. if him back in the NL and not playing in HR friendly Texas yields results for a whole season like we saw him post in the second half with the cubs… and IF Darvish is 100% and can put together 30+ decent starts….. this rotation is pretty nasty. Lester, Hendricks, Hamels, Quintana, and Darvish….. that rotation could….. COULD

    5
    Reply
    • KB R.

      7 years ago

      da** phone… as I was almost finished saying…. that rotation could…. COULD be lethal.

      1
      Reply
      • Cubbie75

        7 years ago

        @ KB the phone mishap added extra drama to your statement…lol

        9
        Reply
    • baseballpun

      7 years ago

      “If all the pitchers on my team are good, our rotation could be good.”

      13
      Reply
      • bigdaddyt

        7 years ago

        If all the pictures on my wall are crooked does that mean all my pictures are in fact level

        2
        Reply
        • braves25

          7 years ago

          No that means your house is crooked haha

          Reply
      • billysbballz

        7 years ago

        Well let us know what team is your team and we will let you know if they will be good….
        Lol

        Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          Mine is the Brewers. Bet they were better than the Cubs last year.

          3
          Reply
        • Android Dawesome

          7 years ago

          For years to come Brewers fan will be telling the tale of that time they were one game better than the Cubs and lost in NL championship.

          5
          Reply
        • ray_derek

          7 years ago

          They weren’t but that’s ok, not the first time you were wrong

          1
          Reply
        • ray_derek

          7 years ago

          Cubs starters were better than Milwaukee’s without Darvish and only half the year with Hamels.

          2
          Reply
        • Ry.the.Stunner

          7 years ago

          And as per usual, brewcrew08 is wrong again.

          Not only was the Cubs rotation better than the Brewers, but so was their bullpen, even though the bullpen was the Brewers highlight.

          2
          Reply
        • mike127

          7 years ago

          Come on brew—quit living in the past—-oh, the past—check the calendar exactly two years ago today. (all tongue in cheek—I, for one, as a cub fan, wished the brewers won at least one more game this year, maybe even five).

          2
          Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          So the Brewers didn’t win the NL Central last year? I was never great with math but I am pretty sure 96 is higher than 95.

          Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          So the Cubs had a better bullpen and rotation than the Brewers. Why did the Cubs not win the division? If they were that elite surely they should’ve been able to win the Central right? Or at least a WC game?

          Reply
        • Ry.the.Stunner

          7 years ago

          Stop deflecting with other questions to try to justify you being wrong.

          Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          Wrong about what? The Brewers being better than the Cubs last year. I am pretty sure that’s a fact. I am just doing what every Cubs fan does. Reliving the past. Just like I said all year the Brewers were better than the Cubs and got chewed out for it. None of you Cubs fans can stomach the fact the Brewers had a better team you just sit there and make excuses.

          1
          Reply
        • KB R.

          7 years ago

          I’m honestly baffled as to why the brewers are as good as they have been the last two years. their “rebuild” has yielded no young talent and they’re comprised of mlb rejects from other teams… or countries. that’s just the position players. look at their rotation and you REALLY go “how the hell is this an 80 win team yet alone a 90+ win team?” only thing that’s decent is the bullpen… and only decent because while hader is a beast and knebel could be lethal as shown in the past getting to those two… meh.

          so yeah, I’m floored that the brewers have been as good as they have been the last 2 years. just like this year, for 2019 their outlook in my opinion is they’ll either compete for the division….. or struggle to be .500. seriously though, can anyone name a player they developed through their recent “rebuild?” maybe a few relievers but position- wise I can’t think of a single one. Braun…. but he’s from another generation’s rebuild…. and not good anymore. I mean he loses playing time to Thames for crying out loud… a former Korean league player, that’s how much of an mlb reject he was… he had to go to Korea.

          Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          Their rebuild yielded no young talent? I guess Yelich, Hader, Jesus, Shaw, Arcia, Burnes don’t qualify as young talent. Just because they didn’t come through the system doesn’t mean they weren’t part of the rebuild. Stearns built this team by winning trades and making a few key FA signings like Cain and Chacin.

          1
          Reply
        • JKB 2

          7 years ago

          Yea and then the Brewers choked it all away and blew a trip to the World Series. But Brewers fans do not care. Its all about winning a division title not championships. Sad.

          Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          When did Brewers fans ever say they didn’t care. Just like the Cubs did the first step is winning the division. Plus it does take some of the sting out of losing watching the Cubs blow two straight home games and look terrible doing it.

          1
          Reply
        • Bryzzo2016

          7 years ago

          Haha, Brewers fans are so adorable. The Cubs have made the playoffs 4 straight years, including 3 straight NLCS appearances and a World Series win… Meanwhile, the Brewers have made the playoffs 4 times… in their entire, pathetic existence. Including before they were booted out of the AL. They are so thirsty to be the Cubs rival.

          So, last year, the Brewers got really hot down the stretch and won the division by the narrowest of margins, fair and square. Made it to the NLCS, great.. now do the same the next two years and make sure you win it all at least once, THEN come running your mouth. Hope that the Cubs MVP (KB) has another injury plagued year, hope that their prized FA starter misses most of the year with injury, hope that their closer is also injured… because it took all of that to happen along some Brewer players having career years (they’ll have to sustain that BTW) just for the Brewers to win the division by 1 game.

          The Cubs core, is actually younger and more proven, they have a ring to prove it.

          This is why no one is concerned about Milwaukee. Congrats on your good year that you guys sadly ended up falling short. Maybe troll the Pittsburgh boards or the Reds boards and try to get your precious, elusive rivalry. The Cardinals are still the Cubs biggest rivals, you guys are more like the annoying lil adopted step brother that’s just thirsty for attention.

          1
          Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          This is EXACTLY what I have been saying. Thank you for proving my point 100%. “living in the past” and blaming the injuries. Pretty sure the Brewers dealt with Knebel, Braun, Nelson and Davies all on the DL and two of which missed the entire season. I am pretty sure I called you out mid-season on multiple feeds and let you know the Brewers were a better team this year and you came back with the same BS you just posted. How about you man up for a change and admit you were wrong. I know it kills you to admit the Cubs completely choked it away this year especially since the Cubs are the only relevant sports team in Chicago right now but you are gonna have to accept it.

          1
          Reply
        • TampaGators

          7 years ago

          Arcia had a negative war for the 2nd time in his 3 seasons this year and had an OPS+ of 55 lol

          Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          I agree offensively (outside of the playoffs) he is nothing special to say the least. Defensively however he is elite

          Reply
        • theoepsteinhof

          7 years ago

          Just curious brewcrew08, why are you here on an article about ONLY the Cubs when your team just had a great year and a playoff run?
          Are the Brewers really that boring?

          Reply
        • mike127

          7 years ago

          Brew—I’m on record, as a Cub fan, congratulating the Brewers on the year and was hoping they won a few more games—but please, tune out who you need to tune out and give it a rest. The article is specifically about the Cubs and the pitching decisions they made this morning. And of all people you make statements like the Cubs “completely choke it away”…..they were 24-16 in that crazy stretch of non-off games and 15-9 in their last 24. .600 baseball is not choking it away……when there happens to be an article on the Brewers, how about saying that they played about .750 ball down the stretch to win the division. When I posted anything about the past I included “tongue in cheek” which means it was a joke—-there was no gray area there. I personally take it as a compliment when a Cubs story pops up and the thread is up over 100 in the first couple of hours. It’s nice to be relevant, even to those that seek some comfort in the Cubs not winning a championship. It’s fun to read all the trolls—because for this stretch of four years—-it’s been quite different than most of the rest of my life.

          Reply
        • Tom84

          7 years ago

          It pisses me off as a Ranger fan that Hamels did so good but it makes it all better when I think about how fortuitously Darvish screwed you over lol

          Reply
        • dugdog83

          7 years ago

          3 games better next year.

          Reply
        • EndinStealth

          7 years ago

          @KB that’s simple. They play as a team and play smart.

          Reply
        • coconutmeat

          7 years ago

          Wrong.

          The Cubs won 11 of the 20 regular season games against the Brewers. In any other league having a better head to head record when the overall records are the same would win the division.. it wouldn’t lead to a play in game.

          Reply
        • Ry.the.Stunner

          7 years ago

          Knebel going down was a godsend for you guys. He was pitching like trash at the time of his injury.

          Reply
        • Mattimeo09

          7 years ago

          Jeez most of you Cub fans are pathetic.

          Brewers won more 2018 regular season & playoff games than the Cubs, including a game 163 at Wrigley field.

          In 2018, Brewers were better. If you can’t accept that, you’re a homer. The truth will set you free

          Reply
        • holstein1986

          7 years ago

          Who won the division? That’s who was better and I am a Cub fan!

          Reply
      • christian21

        7 years ago

        Yeah, but it’s five pitchers that all have been or have shown the potential to be aces on a staff. It’s not like Cubs fans are hoping they pitch a lot better than they could reasonably expect. They just need to pitch how they’re supposed to be able to.

        2
        Reply
        • KB R.

          7 years ago

          agreed. I’d be thrilled if all of them just throw to the tune of 3.50 eras.

          Reply
        • Hammmbone

          7 years ago

          christian21, you’re delusional. Potential aces???? C’mon man you can do better than that. Hamels (35) was terrible in Texas, but rebounded a little bit in the second half. Lester (35) was great in the first half, but fell off in the second half, probably due to age. Darvish (32) is coming of an injury. Q (30) was uneven all year, as was Hendricks (28). The age of those starters is significant. We live in an era of pitch counts and short starts. The bullpen was taxed last year and it showed. For the most part, age diminishes talent. Plus their three best relievers, Morrow (34) coming of injury, Strop (34) and Cishek (34) are all on the wrong side of 30. Now many say that 30 is the new 20, but in baseball it isn’t. The Red Sox had one starter Price (32) and two relievers Kelly and Kimbrel (30) in 2018. The staff is old, and there is nothing in the minors.

          I’ve never ever observed a fan base overvalue talent as much as Cub fans. Recent success has made this even worse. Every year all you hear from them is, “if” he plays to his ability, “if” he stays healthy, or my favorite, “he’s better than what he did last year and he will have a great year next year”. Schwarber had a little success in the playoffs and he was the next Babe Ruth. In actuality he’s a bad LF with pop and a lot of swing and miss in his game. I’ve heard “Russell will be an MVP”. Guess what, MVPs aren’t career .240 hitters. Heyward, is….. well Heyward, one of the worst contracts in recent years. Contreras fell off last year. Almora and Happ started hot and completely disappeared. KB is a stud, unfortunately he was hurt. I like Rizzo and love Baez. However, just because a player had one great year, doesn’t mean he’ll have another one. At this level other teams adjust.

          Saying that this staff has five potential aces is like saying the Cubs are a dynasty, completely asenine. Their front office admitted, before signing Darvish, that they have done a poor job of developing pitching. Moreover, their minor league system is one of the 3 worst in all of baseball, with no top 100 players. Theo now has to deal from the major league roster, weakening one aspect to strengthen another, and that’s how good teams become also-rans.

          I wish them luck in the coming year, but I just don’t think they have what it takes on that pitching staff. With all the money Ricketts is spending around the stadium, he’d bettet build a fountain of youth in that locker room.

          Reply
        • Hammmbone

          7 years ago

          BTW I’m not a Brewers, Red Sox, Cardinals, or White Sox fan. I’m a baseball fan first, and I’m pretty fond of the Yankees.

          Reply
      • MilTown8888

        7 years ago

        “If our injured players stay 100% healthy and our aging players suddenly play like they did when they were still in their prime, they’ll be good!”

        1
        Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          I love how Cubs fans say “stop living in the past”. Anyone else find the irony in that?

          2
          Reply
        • JKB 2

          7 years ago

          No BrewCrew. I guess no one else does

          Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          Please don’t be salty because the Cubs cant win a home game down the stretch. At least they put up a good fight in game 163 and the WC game.

          1
          Reply
    • kc38

      7 years ago

      Every single one of those guys had a very bad year except Lester but still declined. Don’t think nasty is the word

      1
      Reply
      • PaidByTheNotes

        7 years ago

        you didn’t watch the cubs this year if you think that’s a true statement

        2
        Reply
      • kevinhetrick

        7 years ago

        I guess a 3.44 ERA is absolutely horrible for Hendricks

        1
        Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          Not saying it couldn’t happen but counting on Darvish to be healthy at 32 now and only 56 total starts in his last 4 years seems tough to me.

          1
          Reply
      • desertbull

        7 years ago

        Cubs had the 2nd best team ERA in the NL last year. They won 95 games. The offense let them down. The rotation fine.

        You know nothing.

        5
        Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          Cubs were actually 3rd.

          2
          Reply
        • RoXGB

          7 years ago

          Actually they were 2nd in the NL as he stated, 3rd in all of baseball..

          4
          Reply
        • Ry.the.Stunner

          7 years ago

          I think brewcrew08 thrives on being wrong about everything.

          6
          Reply
        • vtadave

          7 years ago

          Brewcrew – do,you try and be wrong about most everything, or does it just come natural?

          4
          Reply
        • bigjonliljon

          7 years ago

          Well said

          1
          Reply
        • mike127

          7 years ago

          Let’s leave brewcrew alone—some time this year there will be an article about the Brewers that someone cares about. Until then he can hang here and press down arrows on a relevant team’s news. I bet all the guys at MLBTR just love posting stuff about the Cubs, Red Sox, and Yankees knowing that they will get read and there will be reaction from all walks of life.

          1
          Reply
        • Anthony Princeton

          7 years ago

          For most of the season the Cubs rotation was horrible, but never let facts get in the way.
          fangraphs.com/blogs/the-cubs-rotation-got-fixed/

          Going forward the old, declining, expensive rotation with zero high end prospects on the way combined with the fact that the Cubs have been the worst team in MLB at developing homegrown pitching talent since Theo was hired could be fun to watch in the next year or two.

          2
          Reply
        • JKB 2

          7 years ago

          Actually the Cubs were 2nd in the NL. BrewCrew08 never lets the facts get in the way

          Reply
        • brewcrew08

          7 years ago

          I agree. The facts that the Brewers had a much better year than the Cubs but Cubs fans are too bitter to ever admit that.

          1
          Reply
        • ImACubsFanSoWhat

          7 years ago

          “Much better year” and still only won the division by 1 game after requiring a 163rd game to do it… man, just enjoy the season for what it was, look forward to next year. You look so petty and stupid chiming in here so much.

          Reply
        • Ry.the.Stunner

          7 years ago

          And yet, if you look at the stats on ESPN, the Cubs had a better offense, starting rotation, bullpen, and defense. Yes, the Brewers squeaked away with the division, but to say they had a much better team this year is stupid.

          Reply
      • mike127

        7 years ago

        “Every single one of those guys had a VERY bad year”…..thus if they can all improve to just PLAIN BAD—does that jump them from 95 wins to 110 wins? 38, shoe size or IQ??? The have a very, very, adequate staff compared to most in the majors. Yes, nasty is probably extreme with nobody chucking 100 mph, but very bad years is a stretch. (for the record—he didn’t mention Chatwood who would define VERY BAD year).

        2
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      • adkuchan

        7 years ago

        Very bad is quite a term… there were 140 pitchers who threw 100 innings or more last year. Of those, Quintana ranks lowest in ERA at 73rd. So their worst starter was only average.

        1
        Reply
  2. Ully

    7 years ago

    This prevents him from no-hitting the Cubs again this year.

    Reply
    • stan lee the manly

      7 years ago

      He can still be traded by the deadline!

      Reply
      • Ully

        7 years ago

        good point

        Reply
  3. Francys01

    7 years ago

    I like this move by the Rangers

    3
    Reply
  4. ScottCHC

    7 years ago

    Not a good move. Now they have two lefties well on the wrong side of 30 plus the mess that is Darvish.

    1
    Reply
    • southbeachbully

      7 years ago

      Who cares about age as long as their total year commitments are short-term. Lester was great last year and is only guaranteed 2/$50 mil including his 2021 buyout. Hamels has some risk of regression but it’s only a 1/$20 mil deal. Still, it’s November and the Cubs are headed into the offseason with 5 starters under control. They can now act from a position of strength.

      Reply
    • mike127

      7 years ago

      So–with Smyly, by midseason, they would actually have five lefties on the wrong side of 30 (Quintana, Smyly, and Montgomery all turn 30 before the all star break). And Lester and Hamels are “well-er” on that side but better than any of the three I just mentioned.

      Reply
      • Jbigz12

        7 years ago

        Is 30 the breaking down age of pitchers now? It’s not like they have these guys signed to 5 year contracts…..

        2
        Reply
  5. deweybelongsinthehall

    7 years ago

    I mentioned earlier about forcing the Rangers to pay the buyout. They worked it out by unloading Smyly’s $7m owed.

    Reply
    • ABCD

      7 years ago

      Go check out Arizona Phil on The Cub Reporter. He called something like this yesterday.

      Reply
    • Jbigz12

      7 years ago

      Smyly isn’t a bad gamble for 7 million bucks though. He should be ready to go by ST. I’d have liked him on my team for that price. The cubs are flush with rotation options so I can see why they wanted to unload him but I have to imagine he would’ve garnered interest from more teams than just Texas.

      Reply
  6. ThatBallwasBryzzoed

    7 years ago

    They need starters and they trade smyly. Granted he’s fresh off of TJ surgery. Maybe they go after Evoldi. I doubt it. Theo only signs a high profile starter every 3 years.

    Reply
    • adkuchan

      7 years ago

      The starting rotation is set. Smyly was insurance. I doubt Evoldi is in the cards. He’s going to get overpaid because of the dearth of quality starters on the market. Cubs still have Montgomery if they need a 6th starter. Maybe Tyler “Walkman” Chatwood can find some kind of control, but that seems like fairytale stuff.

      Reply
    • tim815

      7 years ago

      They need starters?

      Q/Lester/Hendricks/Hamels/Darvish would be okay. And they have MiLB options, as needed, and Montgomery.

      What’s your definition of “need”?

      Reply
      • citizen

        7 years ago

        cubs should draft pitchers with potential for the starting rotation. there is no one in the cubs org who fits this mold and is mlb ready.

        Reply
        • davidcoonce74

          7 years ago

          Well, drafting a pitcher doesn’t help that; any pitcher they draft won’t be in the majors until, like, 2022

          Reply
    • mattcubs

      7 years ago

      I very much doubt they sign a starting pitcher. I expect they will continue to work the waiver wire for more SP depth behind the 5 they now have locked in.

      Alzolay, Alec Mills, Montgomery and another AAA guy could provide some depth down the line, Montgomery already showed that he’s capable.

      I think this will be a quiet free agency period for the Cubs, save for maybe a 2nd baseman, veteran back-up catcher, and a bullpen arm.

      1
      Reply
    • riffraff

      7 years ago

      Cubs need starting depth more than starters – starting 5 is set with Lester, Hamels, Hendricks, Quintana and Darvish. Can’t have too much pitching depth but they do have Montgomery and Chatwood as swingmen /possible starters – in a pinch there is a few in AAA for a spot start but I can see cubs giving a minor league deal to a veteran and stick them in minors just in case. Don’t see Russell returning – maybe he is traded for pitching depth ( I still think he ends up in Detriot)

      1
      Reply
  7. mattcubs

    7 years ago

    Is there a return for the Cubs?

    Reply
    • bobtillman

      7 years ago

      A pound of salami and a loaf of rye bread……

      1
      Reply
      • ThatBallwasBryzzoed

        7 years ago

        With mustard on the side

        Reply
      • Jimcarlo Slaton

        7 years ago

        Finally…With no shortage of buckets of balls, deli sandwiches make more sense at this point. It took a while but I called it two off seasons ago.

        Reply
        • rondon

          7 years ago

          “I called it two offseason ago”… Desperately smug.

          1
          Reply
    • Danny37

      7 years ago

      Payroll relief. There was a previous story that other teams believe the Cubs’ payroll flexibility may be very limited this offseason. This may help a little bit if that is indeed true.

      Reply
      • mattcubs

        7 years ago

        Smyly was worth more than payroll relief though, which is why I’m a little confused. They could have picked up Hamels option and then traded Smyly for mid-level prospects to a whole load of teams, yeah? Smyly wasn’t going to net a ransom, but his small contract would have lured a lot of teams in, I think.

        2
        Reply
        • Danny37

          7 years ago

          At this point, as the offseason is just getting under way, it’s a matter of opinion, I guess. Smyly hasn’t been healthy since 2016 or good since 2015, so that probably would have scared potential trading partners off. Perhaps the front office preferred the payroll flexibility for future moves over mid- to low-level prospects, you know? We can probably discuss this move more thoroughly around next March with the benefit of hindsight, lol.

          1
          Reply
    • iverbure

      7 years ago

      The return is salary relief. Salary relief is always the most important return, it’s something marlins fans or anyone who thought the yanks took the marlins on the Stanton deal don’t seem to get.

      Reply
      • Danny37

        7 years ago

        (From someone who isn’t a Marlins fan and doesn’t think the Yanks took the Marlins on the Stanton deal)…I get where you’re trying to go, but salary relief isn’t always the most important return for a club. Teams looking to upgrade their roster in the offseason or for a postseason run aren’t referred to as “buyers” because they’re looking for salary relief. I believe Boston and LA, along with the higher-priced players they traded for that helped them to the World Series would support that.

        Reply
    • tsc32

      7 years ago

      Uhhhhh there better not be. We have y’all Hamels for next to nothing and Smyly is coming off TJ. Y’all should be happy with some bubble gum.

      Reply
  8. Jbigz12

    7 years ago

    This had to be influenced by Smyly wanting a chance to start in a contract year. He’s a very worthwhile gamble at 1/7.5. I would’ve spotted him in the bullpen if I were Chicago with Wilson departing but he may not have been keen on doing that. Good pick up by Texas assuming it didn’t cost much. They need starters desperately.

    2
    Reply
  9. ABCD

    7 years ago

    Drew, we hardly knew ye!

    1
    Reply
  10. lefflert

    7 years ago

    So the cubs gave the Rangers Smyly to offset money? That seems stupid. Smyly had to have more value than that for being a solid pitcher for $5 million….even if he was out for a year with tommy John…

    1
    Reply
    • mike127

      7 years ago

      Or they just grabbed Hamels for $13M……$20 to Hamels minus the $7 owed to Smyly.

      2
      Reply
      • Jbigz12

        7 years ago

        Or you could say the cubs just received 2MM to keep Brandon Kintzler over Drew Smyly. Any other way we want to spin this?

        2
        Reply
        • giantboy99

          7 years ago

          Exactly

          Reply
        • ThatBallwasBryzzoed

          7 years ago

          I cant see them keeping kintzler. He had moments of good but it was mostly bad for him. Trade waive or release him and justin Wilson

          Reply
        • mike127

          7 years ago

          They didn’t keep Kintzler—Kintzler kept them. Cubs did not pick up his $10M team option.

          2
          Reply
    • mattcubs

      7 years ago

      I have to assume that the trade was separate from the option pick-up. The Cubs could have declined the option and resigned him if they really desired, leaving the Rangers with the 6million tab.

      They didn’t owe the Rangers anything in regards to Hamel’s option, so my guess is that this was a separate move to alleviate some cap stress / net some prospects.

      I could also be very wrong and understand nothing.

      1
      Reply
      • Jbigz12

        7 years ago

        I think the cubs didn’t want to risk Hamels having the opportunity to receive a multi year pact elsewhere. It may just be a coincidence that smyly ended up in texas. I don’t know that this has to be related to Hamels buyout. Texas desperately needed starters and if Chicago was looking to unload one they made just as much sense as anyone else.

        3
        Reply
        • ThatBallwasBryzzoed

          7 years ago

          Shame the Cubs didn’t throw in chatwood. Dont care how much he makes a year. They needed to option him to Iowa or even Daytona. There was no reason to keep using him after he lost his 5th spot in the rotation. Sending him to Iowa to get straightened out should have been done way back in July.

          Reply
      • iverbure

        7 years ago

        The cubs could have declined Hamels option and Hamels agent being smart probably gets Hamels more than 14 million. That was definitely the most likely scenario.

        Reply
      • Cat Mando

        7 years ago

        mattcubs…any quick decline and re-sign by the Cubs would have been met with a grievance by Texas before the $6M check to the cubs cleared the bank.

        Reply
    • ABCD

      7 years ago

      Good will with a good trading partner. Keeps good dealing reputation with other teams.

      1
      Reply
  11. madmanTX

    7 years ago

    Like the move for the Rangers. After watching Hamels the whole time in Texas along with Darvish’s time there, the Cubs and their fans better spend a lot of time praying those two don’t give you more nightmares than dreams.

    Reply
    • iverbure

      7 years ago

      still mad that the rangers didn’t get a huge return you were expecting? Should be glad the rangers got 14 mil salary relief.

      1
      Reply
    • tsc32

      7 years ago

      Darvish has hit rocky times but I think Hamels will be much more comfortable pitching away from Globe Life. Not to mention he no longer has to carry a whole rotation on his back. He can just do his thing now.

      Reply
  12. fearthecub

    7 years ago

    The Cubs front office has a good relationship with Daniels and the Rangers, and they didn’t want to ruin it by saddling them with the $6M buyout, while subsequently trying to resign Hamels for less money.

    Also, they didn’t want to send the wrong message to Hamels by opting out and then trying to resign him on the cheap.

    I look at the Smyly trade as a win-win for everyone. Smyly gets a chance to start for the Rangers on essentially a 1-year “prove it” deal. Rangers get a serviceable starting pitcher for roughly the equivalent of the $6M buyout owed Hamels. Hamels gets his option picked up and stays on a contending team in a comfortable situation. Cubs save some money, keep the pitcher they wanted, and maintain their relationship with the Rangers.

    Also, depending on the return, maybe the Cubs also pick up some lower level minor leaguers or a depth piece.

    3
    Reply
    • Danny37

      7 years ago

      The Rangers knew what they were getting into when they made the trade. If the Cubs declined the option on Hamels and the Rangers had to pick up the buyout, that’s on Daniels. Regardless of the relationship between front offices, teams don’t do multi-million dollar favors for one another. Ain’t no room for charity in baseball, lol.

      1
      Reply
      • Cat Mando

        7 years ago

        The Rangers could have signed a grievance too for any quick decline and re-sign deal Danny37.

        Reply
        • Danny37

          7 years ago

          I don’t believe that to be correct, although I admit I’m not 100% certain. There isn’t any rule that I’m aware of that states a team has to wait a certain amount of time after declining a player’s option before resigning him. Please provide the rule/verbiage if I am incorrect, as I would like to know how that works. Thank you, Cat.

          1
          Reply
        • Cat Mando

          7 years ago

          There is no specific rule but it would fall under the “best interest” of the sport which is also cited in the MLB Constitution.
          Clubs are expected to deal in good faith and any grievance between clubs is settled by the Commissioner acting as sole arbitrator with his decision being an absolute final.
          He could easily have told the Cubs that they are on the hook for the $6 plus fine the club up to $2M and any owner/officer up to $500,000.
          Do you think the Cubs wanted to risk that?
          link to MLB Constitution drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx4PW47PiAi-ZjJlMzY0YmYtN…

          1
          Reply
        • Danny37

          7 years ago

          I totally agree that it would not look like good business and I cannot come up with a similar situation recently for comparison. But I cannot say that a grievance filed would have merit or not. Thank you for the info and your time, I appreciate being able to discuss this with someone in a professional manner. Hope the offseason goes by quickly for ya!

          1
          Reply
        • Cat Mando

          7 years ago

          My pleasure and thank you.
          I am holding my breath to see what the Phillies do. I have been a fan since before Dick Allen was RoY.
          In my opinion the Commish would have no other option than to rule in favor of the Rangers in a quick “decline and sign” that came anywhere near the $20M total. His #1 priority is to protect baseball. Anything seen as a backdoor deal goes against that and he has a LOT of power when it comes to the Constitution and grievances between clubs. Clubs cannot even pursue legal action after his ruling.

          Reply
  13. Caleb Clark

    7 years ago

    Great job by the Cubs. Cole Hamels surprised everyone after going from an above 4.00era to under 3.00era. They also get rid of Drew Smyly. This is good for both teams. Smyly gives Texas another starter while Chicago gets rid of one. Overall, the Cubs did a great job today.

    Reply
  14. csamson11

    7 years ago

    I was hoping to see Smyly out of the bullpen this year (barring a rotation injury of course) but that’s out the window now. Rangers got Smyly for $1mil more than they most likely planned on paying when they dumped Hamels, instead of nothing at all for the $6mil. It’ll be interesting to find out what the Cubs get in return, though I imagine its just a salary dump in a take Smyly or we’re declining Hamels option type move. Also, I believe Smyly had $5-6mil in bonuses he could potentially make, so they avoided that as well.

    1
    Reply
  15. hurricanewar23

    7 years ago

    It works for both teams with the current situations they are in. Also give rangers some room to go after pitching in the free agency. Would love the rangers to build a better rotation then last year but highly doubt it. Go Rangers!

    Reply
  16. xabial

    7 years ago

    This proves Hamels was better avail starter than Happ

    Was not a “rental” Cubs got Hamels for 2 years!!!

    Prob saved money if was FA!! (Less AAV, more guarantee)

    2
    Reply
    • ThatBallwasBryzzoed

      7 years ago

      It was 1 year and change. It wasnt a full year at all. They got him in August for scraps.

      3
      Reply
    • iverbure

      7 years ago

      The first line is completely false for a variety of reasons and variables.

      Reply
      • xabial

        7 years ago

        How does the first line not make sense?

        Both starters performed like aces for their teams, in what was deemed weak SP market. Happ went 7-0 and Hamels pitched well enough to warrant picking up his option:

        JA Happ (7-0 with Yankees)
        63.2IP, 2.69 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 4.30xFIP, +1.1 WAR

        fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=7410&posit…

        Cole Hamels (4-3 with Cubs)
        476.1 IP, 2.36 ERA, 3.42 FIP, 3.59 xFIP, +1.5 WAR

        fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4972&posit…

        The tie-breaker for me is controlling for 2 years as opposed to 1. If Yanks want to keep Happ, they have to overpay, outbidding every other team for him. was nice not to include JA Happ wetting the bed for in playoffs.

        2
        Reply
        • xabial

          7 years ago

          Hamels: 76.1 IP* with Cubs.

          As you can see, despite going 4-3 with Cubs, to Happ’s 7-0 w/ NYY, Hamels beat Happ in: IP, ERA, FIP, xFIP even WAR (For the stat geeks)

          2
          Reply
  17. SupremeZeus

    7 years ago

    Minor housekeeping. The heavy lifting of trying to unload ill fitting pieces and bad k’s all while adding consistent offensive pieces in an economical way is up next. The FA pool was certainly unkind last offseason. Trade away and good luck.

    Reply
  18. frankf

    7 years ago

    Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of having Hamels back for a full season. But I don’t know how I feel about giving away a low risk/high, long-term reward in favor of squeezing a bit more lightning out of a 35 year old bottle.

    Reply
    • adkuchan

      7 years ago

      How does Drew Smyly represent long term reward? He is 30 years old and also only has one year left on his contract. So do you gamble on the aging ace or the average 30 year old, coming off TJS? Give me the former WS MVP every day.

      Reply
  19. mattcubs

    7 years ago

    Ah! A PTBNL for a PTBNL. We must delay our gratification.

    3
    Reply
  20. stan lee the manly

    7 years ago

    Seems like the Cubs window may be on the way shut in the next couple of years if they can’t find some way to find some young, long-term rotation pieces. Don’t know how they can address both the offense and the rotation through free agency, so it will be interesting to see how they approach it this winter

    2
    Reply
    • mattcubs

      7 years ago

      No doubt. They invested a lot of draft capital into pitching prospects and they need a couple of them to turn out. I’m guessing we will see Alzolay this season and maybe Justin Steele. Hendricks will need to be resigned in the next couple years and then the core players like Bryant, Contreras, Baez, and Rizzo.

      Reply
      • stan lee the manly

        7 years ago

        It will be tough for them to keep that core together, that’s a LOT of money, even if Contreras’s regression is more along his eventual career lines. If Baez repeats his breakout year, that’s three superstar contracts all around the same time. Might be worthwhile to trade one of Bryant, Rizzo, or Baez for an absolute haul in pitching, as unpopular as that may be to Cubs fans.

        1
        Reply
        • mattcubs

          7 years ago

          I agree. Assuming Bryant returns to his previous form, he will sign a top 3 contract in all of baseball. Heyward will still have 2 years left on the books when Bryant, Rizzo, Baez, and Contreras are due for new contracts (Willson may have 1 more year of control than the other 3, actually)..

          Of course, a lot can happen. A couple of those players can regress significantly and maybe our farm system becomes a bit repopulated with cheap players to replace them.

          Then again, Chatwood, Lester, Zobrist, Quintana, Hamels and others will be off the books by then. That only means that our farm system must produce some cheap replacements.

          1
          Reply
    • adkuchan

      7 years ago

      TV deal expires in a year. Cubs will be flush with new revenue. They’ll be spending like the Yankees and Dodgers.

      Reply
      • Hammmbone

        7 years ago

        BTW, neither of those teams won the World Series. TV money means nothing if you sign bad players like Heyward, Darvish, and Chatwood.

        Reply
  21. drasco036

    7 years ago

    This really isn’t a very good move by Epstein and Co.

    Allegedly, Hamels wanted to pitch for the Cubs and he was owed a 6 million buyout if the Cubs decline his option. How did they not reach a handshake agreement, even at one year 20 million contract? With the tax hit being 22.5 million, the Cubs traded Smyly for a tax break of 2.5 (since his tax hit was 5 million). Just all around bad business.

    Hell, the Cubs and Rangers could have still worked out a similar deal, just told Texas you were declining Hamels option and re-signing him and still worked out a Smyly trade, thus getting the entire 5 million option owed to Smyly off the books.

    Reply
  22. Cat Mando

    7 years ago

    “How did they not reach a handshake agreement, even at one year 20 million contract?”
    Because the Rangers would then file a grievance with the Commissioner.

    Reply
    • stan lee the manly

      7 years ago

      I don’t think a lot of people are taking the possibility of a grievance seriously based on all of the comments on this site. I can’t imagine how the commissioner would rule against the Rangers in this case, the “good faith” idea is one that is taken very seriously in baseball, as it should. Trades are one of the things that make the sport exciting, and if teams start backstabbing each other that goes away. Along with a lot more fans.

      1
      Reply
      • Cat Mando

        7 years ago

        I agree Stan Lee. Grievances between teams are way different that grievances between a player and MLB. Between teams there is one arbitrator….the Commissioner and his word is final. It even stipulates in the MLB Constitution that if you want to be part of this you can even pursue action outside of MLB if you disagree with the decision of the Commish.

        Reply
    • kenly0

      7 years ago

      I agree. They must definitely would’ve filed a grievance. But, it wouldn’t have mattered. It’s not what you know. But, what you can prove. And, it would’ve been impossible to prove any wrongdoing. But, like others have said. It would’ve ruined a good trade partner with the Rangers.

      1
      Reply
      • Cat Mando

        7 years ago

        They wouldn’t have to prove anything. All it would take is for the Commish to see it as a backdoor way of convincing Hamels to sign and not in the “best interest” of the game. The standards are much different than a court of law.

        Reply
  23. theoepsteinhof

    7 years ago

    I’ll put it out there right now. No way Theo sits there 2 days after elim and make those statements about “never been a part of it, and never will again” regarding the offensive meltdown, then proceeds to scrape for payroll relief. His FO has always been known for playing their cards close to the vest, then stunning people with unexpected moves.
    With a TV deal only a year away, he will have more available funds than he knows what to do with! Throw in an owner who wants nothing more than to win another (not “a”, brewcrew08, “another”), World Series.
    IMO, this is just the beginning. I faithfully believe that by Feb. we will all once again be marveling at the improvements Theo made to the roster that no one saw coming! (Not even Ken Rosenthal!)

    Reply
    • Hammmbone

      7 years ago

      Nobody knows what those revenues will be. Just because they have more money doesn’t mean they’ll spend it. Ricketts is A BILLIONAIRE for a reason. Moreover, Cub fans have always been sanctimonious about teams that “buy” championships, but now its okay to do that??? Why, because that “dynasty” with “multiple championships” you expected doesn’t look like its going to happen, and that vaunted offense was reduced to 2 runs in 22 innings??? Cub fans need to get over themselves. One championship in over 100 years is nothing to be proud of.

      Reply
  24. JFactor

    7 years ago

    Instead of the Rangers paying $6M for Hamels, they get Smyly basically for free.

    And the Cubs get to relieve some salary for Hamels.

    I believe Cubs are up to around $210 in payroll in 2019 now? Cot’s had $192 before this and it didn’t include Hamels

    Reply

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