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Cubs, Kohl Stewart Agree To Major League Deal

By Connor Byrne | January 28, 2021 at 3:34pm CDT

The Cubs have agreed to a major league contract for 2021 with free-agent right-hander Kohl Stewart, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago was among those to report. The deal is worth $700K, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic tweets. Stewart is a Frontline client.

Now 26 years old, Stewart entered the pros as the No. 4 overall pick of the Twins in 2013. Although he did eventually reach the majors with the team, he could only put up a 4.79 ERA/5.21 SIERA with a subpar 12.7 strikeout rate against a 9.7 walk percentage in 62 innings from 2018-19. Stewart owns a similar 4.87 ERA over 136 2/3 innings in Triple-A ball.

Stewart signed with the Orioles before last season, but the type 1 diabetic ultimately opted out of the campaign because of concerns related to COVID-19. He’ll now try to get back on the mound in Chicago, which has questions in its rotation and its bullpen.

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Chicago Cubs Kohl Stewart Transactions

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86 comments
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Comments

  1. C-Daddy

    1 month ago

    Junkyard Jed strikes again.

    13 Like
    Reply
    • kyleschwarbersmom

      1 month ago

      Who’s next? Mark Appel?

      4 Like
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        1 month ago

        nah we still have him under contract?

        Like
        Reply
        • DarkSide830

          1 month ago

          *nix that “?”

          Like
          Reply
      • iml12

        1 month ago

        Mark Appel and Carlos Rodon should round out the rotation.

        3 Like
        Reply
        • Dumpster Divin Theo

          1 month ago

          And Samardjza (sp?)

          Like
          Reply
      • wrek305

        1 month ago

        Rizzo is gonna pitch ever 10th day as an opener.

        1 Like
        Reply
    • chitown311

      1 month ago

      The Ricketts must have had some leftover Kohl’s cash from Christmas for this gift to their fans!

      11 Like
      Reply
      • lbcubs

        1 month ago

        @Chitown311

        You must be a Cubs fan as well, I see you on every post.

        4 Like
        Reply
        • ICanSeeTheFuture

          1 month ago

          He’s a Sox fan who cares more about the Cubs then the entire AL Central.

          4 Like
          Reply
        • Catuli Carl

          1 month ago

          There are a few Sox fans that lurk in here who are 10x as obsessed with the Cubs than they are their own team. I’ve never seen anything like it. Seems like little brother syndrome or a Napoleon complex to me.

          7 Like
          Reply
        • jawinks

          1 month ago

          It’s the same guy, he has multiple accounts

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Dumpster Divin Theo

          1 month ago

          Dogbone and Bryzzo say hi.

          1 Like
          Reply
      • Alexander Jones

        1 month ago

        Next year they’ll make a donation in the name of all Cubs’ fans to the Human Fund!

        2 Like
        Reply
  2. rememberthecoop

    1 month ago

    (insert “start printing world series tickets” joke here)

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Vanilla Good

      1 month ago

      LOL I bet this would be funny!!

      Like
      Reply
  3. birdsfan415

    1 month ago

    sad he never got to appear for Bmore

    Like
    Reply
    • nicklepickers

      1 month ago

      Agreed! Made a lot more sense with us than the perennially contending Cubs…

      1 Like
      Reply
      • birdsfan415

        1 month ago

        fr, still wishing him luck

        Like
        Reply
  4. IronBallsMcGinty

    1 month ago

    I’m surprised they don’t have their players selling hot dogs and beers between innings to save on payroll. Maybe even have them double as grounds crew staff.

    10 Like
    Reply
  5. Dunk Dunkington

    1 month ago

    Whoa!! Does the Rickets know they have to pay him a salary?

    Look like the The Rickets made enough change on the streets to add a player, Stewart will likely have to play LF and as be the GM of the team too. No way The Rickets can collect enough change to add another player.

    2 Like
    Reply
  6. RunDMC

    1 month ago

    Jake Arrieta 2.0?

    Like
    Reply
    • cwsAscension

      1 month ago

      Maybe if this guy discovers “yoga”.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • chitown311

        1 month ago

        Or those “vitamins” ;-)

        2 Like
        Reply
    • thebare54

      1 month ago

      I wouldn’t mind Jake for a one year on the cheap might be magic in that dugout. Sign him can’t believe Lester gave a free open check like Dawson did and Ricketts broke ass couldn’t re sign him

      Like
      Reply
    • cubsnomore

      4 weeks ago

      Cub fans will hope for another Arietta miracle with every crap pitcher they sign. This looks more and more like the Cubs of the 70’s and 80’s. Where’s Manny Trillo?

      Like
      Reply
  7. Curveball1984

    1 month ago

    Chatwood replacement. Nothing more. My guess is he’ll be a long man out of the bullpen.

    Like
    Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      1 month ago

      I really don’t see what his height has to do with anything…

      Like
      Reply
    • Dogbone

      1 month ago

      For about $3M more, they could have signed Chatwood. Ricketts is pathetic.

      Like
      Reply
      • Doug Dascenzo

        1 month ago

        Why on earth would the Cubs have resigned Chitwood?

        2 Like
        Reply
  8. Whifff

    1 month ago

    The AAAA Cubs strike again. Any time they care to re-join the MLB, have at it.

    Like
    Reply
  9. PapiElf

    1 month ago

    They’re really signing anyone these days

    2 Like
    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      1 month ago

      I know, looks like I left a bit too early – time to start warming the arm back up again!

      Like
      Reply
  10. DarkSide830

    1 month ago

    still like the idea of giving this guy an extended shot. might provide some cheap upside.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • lbcubs

      1 month ago

      Especially at 700k.

      2 Like
      Reply
    • Moneyballer

      1 month ago

      Or he’s taking a roster spot away from someone who could ACTUALLY help the team. Stewart sucks, he doesn’t strike anyone out and is not a crafty pitcher. Ridiculous move.

      1 Like
      Reply
  11. Cubfan4ever

    1 month ago

    They should save the money on these buy-low high upside guys that will never contribute and buy a few guaranteed starters for a few million each instead.

    Like
    Reply
    • lbcubs

      1 month ago

      Never contribute? Look up Jake Arrieta. You might have heard of him. When moves like this pay off they become more valuable to a team than the expensive signings. Will anything good come out of this signing? Probably not. But for 700k it is worth a look..

      2 Like
      Reply
      • Cubfan4ever

        1 month ago

        Arrieta was the benefit of a trade, not an off-season signing. Sign 20 of these guys and you will be very lucky if one pans out. Better off signing someone of use that you can count on. Ricketts acting like they have zero money. Such BS

        2 Like
        Reply
        • lbcubs

          1 month ago

          Arrieta was 27 with bad career numbers. I am sure you had the same hissy fit when he was acquired for Hammel. Again, this transaction is 700k and he is controllable for up to 5 years. If you can’t see the low risk to this type of signing then it is what it is. I won’t explain the upside to you further.

          3 Like
          Reply
        • Cubfan4ever

          1 month ago

          Arrieta at least started for Baltimore for years…this guy hasn’t started anything..enough said

          1 Like
          Reply
        • nmendoza7

          1 month ago

          My guy, stop talking, Arriteta and Strop were acquired for Feldman

          Like
          Reply
        • DarkSide830

          1 month ago

          …and showed terribly. he was a shrewd get given what he became.

          Like
          Reply
        • lbcubs

          1 month ago

          @nmendoza7

          You’re correct, I named the wrong pitcher. But my point still stands and unless you can prove that this isn’t a low risk signing then I suggest you stop talking. Go ahead and respond, but I’m through with this conversation. It doesn’t take much brain power to understand my point, but maybe someone can draw you guys a picture so you can get a clue.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • lbcubs

          1 month ago

          @DarkSide830

          One of the few here who understands.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • wrek305

          1 month ago

          It was Steve Clevinger and Scott Feldman. Jason Hammel with Samardzija was traded to Oakland for Addison, Dan Straily and Billy McKinney (who never pitched for the big league cubs teams ) Jason Hammel then re-sign with the cubs the following winter.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Dumpster Divin Theo

          1 month ago

          Quite the subthread. 10 posts later the pretzel twists and turns into a product ready for consumption. Yum yum.

          Like
          Reply
        • drasco036

          4 weeks ago

          Jeff Samardjiza certainly had a hissy fit when the Cubs traded Feldman. I remember the “how does this make us better” comment.

          It’s humorous to me that fans are still angry about the cost cutting… it’s a reality, deal with it and accept and get excited about guys like Stewart who have a high ceiling.

          Like
          Reply
  12. Jeff Zanghi

    1 month ago

    Seems like a good deal for Stewart and low risk for the team. Wish him the best as it must be frustrating to be such a high draft pick and then kind of not really have you’re career go as smoothly as I’m sure he hoped. But he’s been solid enough in the minors and maybe this is the break he needs to finally put things together and “breakout” to some extent anyway. Either as a RP or potentially a SP if he pitches really well.

    1 Like
    Reply
  13. AaronSapoznik

    1 month ago

    It’s one thing to bring in a depth piece on a minor league contract but how does a pitcher with such a mediocre track record at AAA and with the Twins get signed to an MLB deal?

    Hopefully Kohl Stewart works out better for the Cubs than Ian did back in 2012, the 3B that Theo traded DJ LeMahieu and Tyler Covin for.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      4 weeks ago

      Phil Humber says hi

      Like
      Reply
  14. psarg

    1 month ago

    At least the Cubs are actually giving out Major League contracts. Can’t say that for the rest of the Central.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Doug Dascenzo

      1 month ago

      I read the other day, that the 1.5 mil guarantee the Cubs gave to Austin Romine, was the largest guarantee handed out in the NL Central so far. It’s almost comical. NO ONE wants to win this division.The Cubs are operating like a small market team. They currently have about 2/5 of a rotation, maybe 3/5 if you think Alec Mills can give you 28-30 starts. St. Louis hasn’t made a peep. Cindy gave it one year. The Brewers signed Daniel Robertson. And the Pirates are currently trying to trade everyone that works for them. I’m hearing they have a deal in place sending a secretary, the bullpen catcher, and Adam Frazier to the Padres for a better package than the Cubs got for Darvish.

      3 Like
      Reply
      • 1984wasntamanual

        1 month ago

        I’m sorry to hear that Cindy only gave it 1 year, better luck with the next one.

        Like
        Reply
      • jbc1972

        1 month ago

        @DD yet still without adding anyone … we’ve still got the best pitching staff in the Central
        Flaherty
        Martinez
        Kim
        Mikolas
        Reyes. With Ponce De Leon Gomber and more in reserve. Both of them are top 3 starters for anyone else in the central

        Like
        Reply
        • frontofficeGM

          1 month ago

          Reyes is slated for the bullpen. Probably going Gomber for that last spot. Should look at the rest of the Central tho, bc Brewers/Cubs/Reds all have at least two starters who are either better or similar to the Cardinals’ guys behind Flaherty.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • iml12

          1 month ago

          They absolutely have the best rotation but that lineup is a trash heap. There is not one team in the central without massive holes. I suspect the Pirates would of had a chance before they gutted the roster.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • frontofficeGM

          1 month ago

          I think Cincinnati certainly has a case for the best rotation, but I’d agree it’s probably St. Louis atm. Castillo/Gray is a nasty 1-2 and Mahle could breakout in 2021. It’ll be interesting how Lorenzen works back into the fold as well

          Like
          Reply
        • jbc1972

          1 month ago

          Fo GM unless Waino comes back… Reyes is the odds on fav for the 5th spot. BP is the fall back bc with Gallegos Miller and Hicks in the fold the high leverage spots are taken

          Like
          Reply
        • frontofficeGM

          1 month ago

          Waino did just come back, but before that Fangraphs said otherwise on your Reyes being the favorite statement. Bullpen is never full and with those three plus Reyes, it seems the closer’s job is pretty much up for grabs. Reyes started one game last year and due to all his injuries, St. Louis should take a similar approach to what the Jays and Orioles have done with Borucki and Harvey – move him to the bullpen full-time. Hicks hasn’t even pitched yet post-TJS

          Like
          Reply
      • Rowdy's Telles

        1 month ago

        So true!!

        Like
        Reply
    • Moneyballer

      1 month ago

      Giving out major league contracts to minor league talent, nice going cubs!

      1 Like
      Reply
  15. schwender

    1 month ago

    Weird that everyone in this thread is poo-pooing this move; I wish my Orioles would’ve re–signed Stewart.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      1 month ago

      A veritable poo poo platter

      Like
      Reply
  16. TheJuiceBoxIsRockin

    1 month ago

    Faced this kid in highschool when he played at st. pius. I always thought he would be a fielder and not a pitcher (granted he didnt pitch against us). he hit the second hardest ball ive seen. Almost hit our pitcher in the head, and ended up burning our center fielder. it was a ROCKET. I always root for guys from the houston area and would love to see him do well

    2 Like
    Reply
  17. hyraxwithaflamethrower

    1 month ago

    I bet all those Cubs fans who complained about Ricketts not spending any money are feeling pretty foolish right about now. (sarcasm, if it’s not obvious)

    I describe myself as a White Sox fan first and Cubs fan second. It ticks me off that they’ve been crying poor for a couple years now and let Darvish go in a salary dump, then lied about it. This team could contend if they wanted to. They could definitely win the NL Central again as currently constructed, but that’s more of a sad commentary on the rest of that division than any sort of praise for the Cubs.

    3 Like
    Reply
    • 1984wasntamanual

      1 month ago

      It’s interesting that one can be considered, “crying poor”, in a year where they have the 3rd highest payroll in MLB. I learn new things on this site every day.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • AaronSapoznik

        1 month ago

        The Cubs are trying to become the Pirates but have too many high salaried players on expiring contracts coming off of bad years to move in a financially uncertain offseason due to COVID-19. Willson Contreras, who has two years of team control, is their most tradable position player before camp opens and just might be dealt now that J.T. Realmuto has finally signed.

        Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo are each pending FA’s with MVP caliber talent who have limited trade value because of their poor 2020 production and huge 2021 contracts. Jed Hoyer might have to wait until the trade deadline to move any of them assuming the Cubs aren’t contending in the weak NL Central.

        1 Like
        Reply
  18. dopt

    1 month ago

    Mark Prior is next

    Like
    Reply
  19. Mjshof

    1 month ago

    He’d be great if he pitched for the NYM.

    Like
    Reply
  20. Moneyballer

    1 month ago

    I mean it’s only 700k so what can you really expect…but I’m not a fan of the move. Stewart just does not miss bats enough to be effective. I highly doubt he will be able to carve out any role whatsoever and is really just occupying a roster space that could be better utilized.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • iml12

      1 month ago

      Cubs have 40 man roster space for days. They have 3 openings and another 2-3 guys they could release without losing any sleep.

      Like
      Reply
  21. ChiSoxCity

    1 month ago

    Who?

    Junkyard Jed putting in that work.

    Like
    Reply
    • iml12

      1 month ago

      It took you long enough to to log out of your other account and make another troll comment. Good job

      Like
      Reply
      • ChiSoxCity

        1 month ago

        You’d be a great pet detective.

        Like
        Reply
        • Dumpster Divin Theo

          1 month ago

          Laces out!

          Like
          Reply
  22. coolhandneil

    1 month ago

    They’ll probably still win the Central.

    Like
    Reply
    • ChiSoxCity

      1 month ago

      Yippee.

      Like
      Reply
      • Dumpster Divin Theo

        1 month ago

        Sayeth Darth Pipsqueak

        Like
        Reply
  23. Yankee Clipper

    1 month ago

    Does this make the proposition of trading Contreras any more realistic? Yankees have a bunch of young arms that could compete with these, I’d think.

    Like
    Reply
  24. drasco036

    1 month ago

    Lots of jokes but this is a good low risk signing by Hoyer. If you Stewart somehow works out, the Cubs will have control over him through 2025. If he doesn’t oh well.

    If the Cubs can land Rondon on a non-guarantee contract then letting Stewart/Miller and him battle it out for the fifth starter slot and bullpen roles during the spring would be intriguing. I would have loved to seen the Cubs do this more under Epstein as opposed to paying their 4/5 starters 10.5-13 million per season.

    Lets get Kolton Wong and call it an off season. See how the season plays out and either fire sale at the deadline or augment the roster if one or two of these fliers work out.

    Like
    Reply
    • ChiSoxCity

      1 month ago

      What is the point?

      Low risk moves is all the Cubs do. It’s a slow retreat, nothing more.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • drasco036

        1 month ago

        People can b*#^# moan and complain (and snicker) all they want about the Cubs off season but I understand the reality of their financial situation.

        With that said, I also realize the Cubs have their issues but they also are still a solid team (as of right now). They have plenty of offensive upside, they field well but the pitching is a huge concern. It has upside but it definitely doesn’t give me a warm fuzzy.

        Based on the free agents available, I’d love to see Wong and then move Nico to CF, Happ to LF which would boost the already impressive defensive unit.

        The Cubs will have a couple glaring weaknesses this season but again, those weaknesses can be shored up at the trade deadline. If Baez and Bryant cannot rebound or other unforeseen issues come up, spending on the rotation would have been moot anyway so they can deal at the deadline.

        Like
        Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      1 month ago

      Ha ha. Hee hee. Strange things are happening.

      Like
      Reply
  25. Dumpster Divin Theo

    1 month ago

    Hmm, wonder what’s hiding behind this plant. Oh. Some Oriole pitching.

    Like
    Reply
  26. Dumpster Divin Theo

    1 month ago

    Jed’s Ma said boy, pick up some stew and then stop by Kohls. Something got lost in translation when he returned home with Kohl Stew.

    Like
    Reply

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