At least for Chicago Cubs fans, Jason Hammel will always be remembered as a solid hurler who helped the team win its first championship in 108 years. Suffice to say, though, fans in Kansas City won’t recall the right-hander with such warm-hearted fondness.
The 36-year-old pitcher is back on the open market after the Kansas City Royals declined their half of Hammel’s mutual option for 2019. That option would have paid him $12 million next season. Instead, the Royals picked up the tab for a $2 million buyout – and it’s not hard to see why.