In a widely expected move, the Chicago Cubs opted to retain four-time All-Star pitcher Cole Hamels on Friday afternoon. The club picked up the $20 million team option for 2019 but shed $7 million in payroll simultaneously, trading Drew Smyly to the Texas Rangers.
In essence, if all you’re looking at is the red line of the luxury tax threshold, Chicago kept the man who did everything in his power to save their season for just $13 million. The trade of Smyly helped even out the money side of things a bit, which helps ease the Cubs’ payroll concerns – at least for the time being.