Chicago Cubs: 3 takeaways from Cole Hamels deal

Yu worried about Darvish?

The previously mentioned Yu Darvish had a disastrous 2018 campaign. After signing a huge free-agent deal in the offseason (6 years/$126 million), Darvish struggled in what little time he saw action. He was 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in just 8 games.

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He apparently was dealing with an injury the entire time, although it was not discovered/correctly diagnosed until late in the year. In August, an MRI revealed a stress reaction and triceps strain in his pitching arm. As a result, the Cubs shut him down for the rest of the year. He underwent an arthroscopic debridement.

Although the Cubs expect to have him back and ready to go in time for Spring Training in 2019, the Hamels decision at least gives you a little pause and makes you wonder whether the Cubs truly believe that. At the very least, you have to wonder whether they have confidence that they’ll get a fully functional Darvish in 2019.

And why wouldn’t they? Nothing in his time with the Cubs should give them a reason to rely on him or consider him dependable. But if they did have full faith in Darvish getting back to his old form, then this move would be at least a tad bit surprising. Assuming a healthy Darvish, a rotation with him, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, and Jose Quintana is pretty solid. Yes, Hamels makes it better, but they could have potentially used that $20 million elsewhere. Where? I’m glad you asked.