June 2016 - Chicago Cubs Wiretap
Jason Hammel is leaving Octagon and will likely join ACES, according to major league sources.
Hammel is among the best starters remaining on the free agent market.
The Chicago Cubs declined Hammel's $12 million option for 2017 in favor of a $2 million buyout.
Tyson Ross threw less than six innings last season before ultimately undergoing thoracic outlet surgery in October.
Roughly 20 clubs are interested in Ross, according to Jon Heyman, who lists the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Indians as suitors.
Jason Heyward struggled at the plate, hitting just .230, in his first season with the Chicago Cubs.
Heyward helped the Cubs win the World Series and also took home his fourth Gold Glove award in 2016.
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer relayed that Heyward is working more than usual this offseason in hopes of increasing his production at the plate.
"You're not re-inventing him but getting him back to some of the places where he had the most success," Hoyer said. "That's what [Cubs fans] know of him, the one year [in 2016], but if you look back at his career, he's has some really good offensive seasons.
"We want to tweak his mechanics to the times when he had success -- 27 homers in 2012 -- and get him back to those places," Hoyer added. "We're not asking him to do new things but go back to doing things he did well. He's totally bought in and excited to get started."
Epstein said Heyward made an impact with his defensive skills and baserunning and there's more to come.
"Cubs fans haven't seen the type of hitter that Jason Heyward is -- and can be -- yet," Epstein said. "But I think they will."
After Aroldis Chapman said Cubs manager Joe Maddon misused him during the playoffs, Maddon on Friday defended his usage of the closer during the team's World Series run.
Chapman admitted he never voiced his concerns to his manager, but stated he had a specific problem that he was sent out in the ninth inning of Game 6 of the World Series, despite a seven-run Chicago lead.
A record six teams are paying baseball's luxury tax this season, led by the Dodgers at $31.8 million and the Yankees at $27.4 million.
The Red Sox ($4.5 million), Tigers ($4 million), Giants ($3.4 million) and the World Series champion Cubs ($2.96 million) also were sent bills Friday by the commissioner's office, according to information obtained by The Associated Press.
The Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms on a one-year, $6 million deal with Koji Uehara.
Uehara had better offers from other teams but chose to take less to join the Cubs, according to a source.
Uehara, who will turn 42 in April, was the fourth-oldest player to throw a pitch in the big leagues in 2016.
The Chicago Cubs are still involved in talks with Tyson Ross, who they would use as depth behind their veteran starting pitchers.
Ross was non-tendered by the San Diego Padres. He is recovering from October surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome.
He is expected to seek a deal in the $9 million to $11 million range.
Looking to improve against left-handed hitters late in games, the Chicago Cubs have reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year, $4.5 million deal with Koji Uehara.
Uehara had a 3.45 ERA with the Boston Red Sox this past season.
He has held left-handed hitters to a .183 average in his career (right-handers have hit .208).
Dexter Fowler is switching teams in the National League Central.
A little more than month after leading the Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years, the free-agent center fielder agreed to a deal with the rival Cardinals on Thursday, sources told ESPN's Mark Saxon, confirming a story first reported by KSDK-TV.
The Boston Red Sox made a run at acquiring Wade Davis from the Kansas City Royals earlier this month.
The Red Sox offered Travis Shaw, who they eventually dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers for Tyler Thornburg.
Kansas City wasn't enticed by Shaw and instead preferred to get Jorge Soler from the Chicago Cubs.
