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The Chicago Cubs are always looking at different avenues to add pitching talent to the organization and this offseason has been no different. Whether it’s spending $126 million for Yu Darvish, or signing Tyler Chatwood early on to solidify the back-end of the rotation, or taking a low-risk chance at pitchers with previous arm issues. The latest project is right-hander Shae Simmons.
On Friday, the Cubs made the signing official, as they also placed Drew Smyly on the 60-day disabled list.
The #Cubs and RHP Shae Simmons have agreed to terms on a 2018 major league split contract.
LHP Drew Smyly has been placed on the 60-day DL. pic.twitter.com/yVcsXRBPhr
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 16, 2018
Shae Simmons has a split contract with #Cubs: $750,000 in the big leagues and $120,000 in the minors
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 14, 2018
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Smyly is recovering from Tommy John surgery and could be back late in the 2018 season.
Drafted in 2012 by the Atlanta Braves out of Southeast Missouri State, Simmons has dealt with a few injuries throughout his career. The 27-year-old pitcher has been limited to 36 innings at the MLB level since making his debut in the majors in 2014.
Simmons pitched great in his first MLB stint, recording a 2.91 ERA in 21.2 innings with the Braves in 2014. Unfortunately, the righty had Tommy John surgery in February 2015, forcing him to miss the entire year. After rehabbing and pitching in 19 minor-league games, Simmons was called up by Atlanta near the end of the 2016 season, and once again was pretty good in 6.2 innings, allowing just one run in seven appearances.
However, after being traded to the Seattle Mariners in January 2017, Simmons was once again hit with elbow issues. He was placed on the disabled list before the start of the regular season with a right elbow strain and he didn’t pitch again until July. Simmons made nine appearances for the Mariners at the end of last season and was pretty good until his final game. The righty allowed four runs in 2/3 of an inning, giving him a 7.04 ERA after only allowing two runs in his first seven innings.
So, overall the numbers are good in the small sample size in the majors for Simmons. A 3.50 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, with 34 strikeouts and 15 walks. The numbers in the minors are also very good, with a 2.06 ERA in 131.1 innings. According to FanGraphs, Simmons averaged 96.1 mph on his fastball in 2017.
The Cubs are going to break camp with 13 pitchers and considering most of the spots are already locked in, Simmons is going to be competing for the eighth and final spot in the bullpen. Who will he be competing against? Justin Grimm, Dillon Maples, Eddie Butler and Dario Alvarez.
So, there’s that to look forward to this spring, and who knows maybe Simmons surprises us all and makes the team. He certainly has the stuff to do it.
