Reports: Cubs Sign Jason Hammel
(CBS) Right-hander Jason Hammel is headed back to Chicago.
The Cubs and Hammel have agreed to a two-year deal worth $18 million that includes a team option, according to reports. CBSSports.com MLB insider Jon Heyman first reported that a deal was close, and SB Nation's Chris Cotillo reported the numbers.
Hammel pitched well for the Cubs in 2014 before being shipped out in a July 4 trade along with Jeff Samardzija that netted Chicago elite shortstop prospect Addison Russell in return. Hammel was 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA for the Cubs in 2014 before finishing the season with final numbers of 10-11 and a 3.47 ERA.
Returning to Chicago had long been on Hammel's mind.
"I had a wonderful experience in Chicago with the Cub organization," Hammel told 670 The Score's Bruce Levine in September. "If everything is right I would go back their in a minute to pitch for them again."
The Cubs originally acquired Hammel along with Pedro Strop in July of 2013 for pitcher Scott Feldman. The 32-year-old Hammel worked on a one-year, $6-milllion contract in 2014 but was looking for a multi-year deal this time around, Heyman reported.
Hammel factors into a rotation that already includes Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and Travis Wood. Tsuyoshi Wada has already been re-signed to a one-year deal and could factor into the rotation or the bullpen, depending on team needs.
