Cubs bring back Smyly on 2-year deal (source)
CHICAGO — Drew Smyly made it clear as final season got here to a detailed that he hoped to nonetheless be a part of the Cubs’ plans subsequent 12 months. A reunion is certainly within the works.
On Thursday evening, a supply advised MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that the Cubs and Smyly had reached an settlement on a two-year contract price $19 million assured. The pact consists of an opt-out after the 2023 season. Smyly will earn $8 million in ’23 and $8.5 million in ’24. There is a $10 million mutual choice (with a $2.5 million buyout) for ’25.
The Cubs haven’t confirmed the deal.
By lengthening out the beginning solid with Smyly, the Cubs can use this spring to weigh whether or not Adbert Alzolay, Keegan Thompson and Adrian Sampson are finest utilized as starters or multi-inning relievers. Behind that group, Chicago additionally has rookies Hayden Wesneski and Javier Assad, who impressed down the stretch, with extra prospects (names like Caleb Kilian, Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks, amongst others) ready within the wings.
Smyly, 33, had a 3.47 ERA with 91 strikeouts and 26 walks in 22 begins (106 1/3 innings) total final 12 months for the Cubs. He missed all of June on account of a proper indirect pressure and battled left shoulder fatigue in mid-September earlier than a profitable late-season return.
Following his activation from the injured checklist in July, Smyly spun a 3.25 ERA in 63 2/3 innings down the stretch. That included putting out 9 in a memorable outing through the Field of Dreams recreation. The lefty had a 2.83 ERA in 11 begins within the second half, when the Cubs’ rotation ranked third within the Majors in ERA (2.89). Only the Astros (2.70) and Dodgers (2.73) have been higher after the All-Star break.
Smyly is coming into his tenth MLB season, having posted a 4.10 ERA in 239 profession appearances with seven golf equipment. Last 12 months with the Cubs, he posted a 2.42 ERA in 9 begins at Wrigley Field and completed the 12 months within the eighty fifth percentile in common exit veloxity (86.7 mph), per Statcast.
