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The Chicago Cubs made headlines when they signed ace Jon Lester this offseason, but a signing they made shortly before that has proven just as meaningful over the first three months of the season. That signing was bringing Jason Hammel back to Chicago where he experienced a lot of success over the first three months of last season.
Hammel was signed to a two-year, $18 million contract with a third-year team option for $10 million. Compared to some other players who got similar money, he has been head and shoulders above the rest.
Here is a list of players signed to similar contracts this offseason and how they’re doing in 2015:
Jake Peavy (Two years, $24 million): 0-2, 9.39 ERA, has spent extended time on DL.
Justin Masterson (One year, $9.5 million): 2-2, 6.37 ERA.
Edinson Volquez (Two years, $20 million): 7-4, 3.33 ERA.
Hammel: (Two years, $18 million): 5-2, 2.65 ERA.
Clearly, Volquez is the only pitcher at the same price point who is pitching even comparably to Hammel, and he hasn’t even been as sharp as the Cubs’ righty has.
Being able to put Hammel behind Lester and No. 2 starter Jake Arrieta has been invaluable for the Cubs this season — especially with No. 4 starter Kyle Hendricks struggling and various No. 5 starters pitching inconsistently.
Sometimes, the No. 3 starter spot can be the most overlooked, because it’s the pitcher who’s not quite bad, but not quite great. They bridge the gap between the top of the rotation and the bottom, and Hammel has played that role perfectly this season.
Hammel is pitching like an ace, but he’s being paid like a No. 3 starter. If he can continue to deal the way he has so far in 2015, the Cubs’ playoff chances go up exponentially.
