This past offseason it became apparent that pitching, starting pitching especially, was a huge necessity for the Chicago Cubs. The team’s ace, Jake Arrieta, was on his way out and as a team in need of something, they turned toward a low-risk option in Drew Smyly.
The Cubs signed Smyly to a two-year contract worth $10 million, with an additional $7 million in performance bonuses.
Smyly has been excellent when healthy, posting a career record of 31-27 with a 3.74 ERA and an 8.7 WAR in five seasons at the major league level.