Chicago Cubs have made their first big move in this offseason. The team has announced on Thursday that they have agreed to a three year deal with former Colorado Rockies right-hand pitcher Tyler Chatwood. Although the financial details of the deal haven’t been revealed, ESPN reports that the contract is worth $38 million.
The #Cubs and RHP Tyler Chatwood have agreed to terms on a three-year contract through the 2020 campaign. pic.twitter.com/Jk4MwNojxk
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 7, 2017
“Uber-talented right-hander moving into his prime,” – said Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein about acquiring Chatwood. “He has great makeup. We think his best days are ahead of him. We’re getting him into an environment where we think he can gain consistency with all of his pitches and play to his strengths a little bit more.“
Chatwood said that he is fortunate that he was able to sign with the Cubs. “You have hopes, desires on what team you want it to be,” – he said. “ … and I was fortunate enough they were interested and obviously my family, talked to my agency, and it felt like a perfect fit.“
Although some may be surprised with the size of the contract the Cubs gave Chatwood, it is important to note that team’s starting pitchers Jake Arrieta and John Lackey are free agents now. With Chatwood on board, the Cubs now have a certain safety in their rotation.
After spending his rookie season with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Tyler Chatwood was traded in 2011 to the Colorado Rockies. He underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2014, which caused him to miss the entire 2015 season. He successfully recovered from the surgery in time for 2016, and arguably played the best baseball in his career finishing 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA in 27 starts. His MLB career statistics include 40–46 record, 4.31 ERA, and 438 strikeouts.
