SAN DIEGO — Pitcher Jason Hammel is returning to the Chicago Cubs.
A source on Monday confirmed that Hammel, a free agent, and the Cubs have agreed to a reunion, five months after the Cubs traded him to the Oakland Athletics.
Hammel, who signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Cubs last winter, this time got a two-year deal for a reported $18 million, with a club option for a third year. Hammel, 32, was 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA in 17 starts with the Cubs before he was dealt to the A’s, where he was 2-6 with a 4.26 ERA.
Hammel had expressed interest in returning to the Cubs even before he was dealt, and the right-hander would fortify a rotation that is seeking to add marquee free-agent left-hander Jon Lester.
At the very least, Hammel provides depth and insurance in the event the Cubs can’t sign Lester, who also is being courted by the Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. Lester is expected to receive at least a six-year contract that could approach $25 million annually.
Red Sox owner John Henry, according to a report by WEEI, visited Lester last Friday in Georgia. And according to the San Francisco Chronicle, All-Star catcher Buster Posey joined the front office in attempts to lure Lester to the Giants.
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