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Although the team has not confirmed the deal, TR Sullivan, who covers the team for MLB.com, is reporting that Tyson Ross has signed with the Texas Rangers. Since Ross surprisingly became a free agent earlier this winter, the Chicago Cubs were frequently linked to him and were a finalist to sign him. The right-handed starter even went to Chicago and took a tour of the renovations at Wrigley Field. Yet, the lure of a World Series championship wasn’t enough to bring Ross to the North Side.
Ross, 29, only made one start in 2016, before missing the entire season with a shoulder injury. However, once the San Diego Padres made him a free agent, he became a big target for the Cubs in free agency. This time, the Cubs didn’t get their guy to go in the back of the starting rotation, opting for the Rangers instead.
Source says Rangers have signed Tyson Ross…no word yet on the contract except it is a one-year deal… Rangers haven't confirmed
— TR Sullivan (@Sullivan_Ranger) January 13, 2017
Ross made the 2014 All-Star Game and has a career 3.64 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 670.2 innings. The Cubs were reportedly after him since 2015.
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So, now it appears that Mike Montgomery is once again the front runner to be the fifth man in the Cubs’ starting rotation in 2017.
Earlier on Friday, the Cubs also avoided arbitration with Jake Arrieta, giving him nearly $16 million for the 2017 season. Arrieta and John Lackey will be free agents following this season, leaving the Cubs with a few spots to fill in the starting rotation, beginning in 2018.
