The class of free agent pitchers has a new member.
Jason Hammel, who spent the last the end of the 2014 season with the A's, had his $10 million option for 2017 declined by the Cubs on Sunday, the team announced.
The Cubs will pay the 34-year-old Hammel a buyout of $2 million.
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SIGN UP HERE The 11-year veteran Hammel signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Cubs following the 2014 season.
Hammel came to the A's as part of the imfamous Addison Russell trade on July 4th weekend in 2014. In an attempt to bolster their rotation for a playoff run, the A's shipped Russell, prospect Billy McKinney and pitcher Dan Straily to the Cubs for Hammel and Jeff Samardzija.
As the Cubs put an end to the 108-year World Series drought last week, Hammel watched from the dugout as he was not active during the postseason. During the 2016 season, he made 30 starts and posted a 3.83 ERA and struck out 144 batters in 166.2 innings.
Theo Epstein, the Cubs' president of baseball operations, issued the following statement with the announcement of the news:
Athletics
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"First, I want to thank Jason for all of his contributions in his almost three seasons as a Cub. He was an effective, reliable starter the entire time he was a Cub, and this year he was an integral part of one of the best rotations in club history. We would not have been in a position to win the World Series without Jason's terrific performance during the regular season. Jason and his family have been outstanding members of our organization and our community, and we are proud of their time with and impact on the Cubs.
"While Jason is healthy and primed to have another effective season in 2017, we have decided to consider other internal and external options for our starting rotation next year. Our hope is that by giving a starting opportunity to some younger pitchers under multiple years of club control, we can unearth a starter who will help us not only in 2017 but also in 2018 and beyond.
"When we agreed with Jason on this two-year contract back at the 2014 winter meetings, the option was included with the intent that it would be exercised if Jason was going to be a Cub in 2017. The intent was never to exercise the option and then trade Jason, so we will not consider that path. Instead, Jason will have the opportunity to enter free agency coming off an outstanding season and the ability to choose his next club. Meanwhile, the organization gains some flexibility and the opportunity to use a rotation spot to develop a younger, long-term starting pitcher.
"We wish the Hammels nothing but the absolute best going forward. We would certainly be open to Jason rejoining the organization in the future, but even if that never happens we will always consider him a Cub and be thankful for his role in delivering a World Series championship to the people of Chicago."