Cubs decline RHP Jason Hammel’s $12 million option for 2017
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs declined Jason Hammel’s $12 million option for next season, opening a spot in their rotation and making the right-hander one of the top starters on the free-agent market.
The World Series champions announced the move Sunday. Hammel gets a $2 million buyout.
“While Jason is healthy and primed to have another effective season in 2017, we have decided to consider other internal and external options for our starting rotation next year,” President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said in a statement.