Chicago - A message from the station manager

The Ex-Cub Factor

By Steve Rhodes

One in an occasional series tracking the movements of those who have worn Cubbie blue.
1. Jason Hammel.
The Cubs just saw their former starter in the Royals series coming out of the bullpen, where he has languished since being dropped from the rotation last month. Hammel clearly had his best years with the Cubs over two separate stints. Now he may not be long for this league.


2. Jon Jay.
Jay is having a lackluster year in Arizona after a damn nice career heretofore. He is missed.
3. Alex Avila.
Avila is part of a three-catcher rotation in the desert, which is very Cubsy. “Also, don’t look now, but Alex Avila has been playing like the player which was signed in the offseason, sporting a .313/.477/.594 triple-slash since July 7th,” AZ Snake Pit notes. He is also missed.
4. DJ LaMahieu.
LaMahieu came off the DL (oblique) on August 2nd.
5. Wade Davis.
Davis already has 32 saves, matching his season total with the Cubs last year in 11 2/3 fewer innings, but his ERA is 4.98 and he generally hasn’t looked good. RoxPile last week tried to figure out what was wrong with Davis.
6. Luis Valbuena.
Luis was released by the Angels on Tuesday after passing through waivers without being claimed. He was hitting .199.
7. Tim Federowicz.
The Reds signed Federowicz to a minor-league contract a few days ago after the journeyman catcher was released last month by the Astros.
8. Trevor Cahill.
One of the best pitchers in baseball?
9. Edwin Jackson.
Getting starts with the A’s, just like Cahill.

Comments welcome.

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Posted on August 9, 2018