Reports: Cubs sign pitcher Hammel
The Cubs on Friday would not confirm reports that they had agreed to terms on a one-year deal with free-agent pitcher Jason Hammel.
Fox Sports reported that a deal had been reached pending Hammel passing a physical exam, with another report having the deal worth $6 million plus another $1 million in performance incentives.
Hammel, a 31-year-old right-hander, was 7-8 with a 4.97 ERA and a WHIP of 1.46 last year with Baltimore. For his career, he is 49-59 with a 4.80 ERA and a WHIP of 1.44. He has pitched for Tampa Bay (2006-08), Colorado (2009-11) and the Orioles (2012-13).
If and when the deal becomes official, Hammel is likely to slide into the fourth slot in the Cubs’ rotation behind Jeff Samardzija, Travis Wood and Edwiin Jackson. It’s also possible the Cubs will trade Hammel if they fall out of contention during the season.