The Cubs have declined their end of a $10MM mutual option on left-hander Drew Smyly, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post. He’ll be paid a $2.5MM buyout and return to the free agent market.
Smyly, 35, pitched to a 3.84 ERA in 58 2/3 innings over 50 relief appearances with the Cubs this past season, but that solid earned run average was accompanied by more worrying rate stats. The southpaw’s strikeout rate dipped to 21.8% while his walk rate spiked to a 9.7% mark that stands as the second-worst of his career. He also yielded an average of 1.53 homers per nine innings pitched and surrendered his highest hard-hit rate (38.2%) and average exit velocity (89.2 mph) since 2020. His 11.3% swinging-strike rate was his lowest since 2019.
When the Cubs signed Smyly, they did so with an eye toward a potential rotation spot. He indeed started 23 games for them in 2023, the first season of his two-year $19MM pact, but he didn’t make a single appearance out of the rotation in 2024. Chicago’s rotation mix includes Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Javier Assad, Ben Brown, Hayden Wesneski and Jordan Wicks, with promising prospect Cade Horton on the horizon. Allocating $10MM to a swingman coming off diminished strikeout/walk rates and with ongoing home run issues wasn’t something on which the team was keen, clearly.
Be that as it may, Smyly should find another big league deal in free agency. He has extensive experience both as a starter and reliever, so a club with some uncertainty in the fourth or fifth spot of the rotation could look to Smyly as an affordable early-season rotation piece who could move to the ’pen if younger arms force the issue. Other teams might simply view Smyly as an intriguing option in a market light on quality left-handed relievers.
He has future closer of the White Sox written all over him
Hey, if Cole does walk, here’s his replacement!
Another Hoyer pet that I was sweating out being retained. Now Madrigal, Wisdom, Mastrobuoni, Brewer, …..and so on
Cubs have four slots on the 40 man to make room for eight guys coming off the 60 day DL. I’m guessing Alzolay will be released since he probably doesn’t pitch next year. Almonte may be in the same boat. Brewer should be released, too, because he’s a knucklehead. One other reliever can probably be outrighted.
Madrigal, Mastrobouni, and Wisdom probably have to wait to be non-tendered on Nov. 22.
Alzolay and Almonte should be non tendered but then resigned in my opinion. It’ll open up their 40 man spots but they’ll be options once they’ve finished rehabbing from surgery. As for Brewer, Madrigal, Mastrobouni and Wisdom, they need to go. Though I could see them keeping at least 1 of Madrigal or Mastrobouni for defensive versatility. Not saying that’s the right move but it is Hoyer we’re talking about here.
Wish him well for being a loyal Cub.
Loyal Cub? He was loyal for being overpaid for every year he was here? Why wouldn’t he stay? He’s like the stray dog you take in and feed and give him his own room. Why would he leave? Wow.
Bellinger Now knows it for himself his best days are well over and by staying he admitted it to himself and us fans..
Now Hoyer if you’re listening trade him immediately.Even if it’s only for a bag of chips get Bellinger off the books..
Nice bullpen option for someone.
Sold!
Hard to find a comp to Smyly when it comes to being overpaid for quite a few years now while producing unremarkable results. No doubt somebody who he hasn’t burned yet will lay out about $12M for ‘25 and deeply regret it by May.
A great Cub.